Democrats win governorships in Texas, Ohio, Iowa

In a stunning upset on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott lost his reelection bid in Texas, falling to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, according to an Associated Press projection. Preliminary AP figures showed Abbott with about 46% of the vote, compared with 53% for Hinojosa, with 82% of votes counted.

Abbott, a conservative governor known for his strong stance on border defense, has enjoyed three terms in office. Hinojosa, a state representative, will become the first Latina to lead Texas. It will also be the first time a Democrat has sat in the governor’s chair in the conservative state since 1995.

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Amy Acton won the race for Ohio governor, according to the projection from the Associated Press. With 89% of the race’s election results in, Acton had garnered 51% of the vote, while Republican nominee and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy gathered about 46%, according to the AP. Votes for Libertarian Don Kissick and write-in candidates accounted for the remainder.

Democrat Amy Acton speaks to media in Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 3, 2026. Associated Press / Photo by Carolyn Kaster

Acton is a physician and the former director of the Ohio Department of Health. She declared victory in a social media statement, promising to work to lower costs and fight corruption. She would be a governor for everyone, regardless of party, she said. 

Ahead of the election, Vice President J.D. Vance attempted to downplay last-minute attack tactics from both candidates. Ramaswamy produced an ad in which Acton’s estranged mother urged people not to vote for her daughter. Meanwhile, Acton accused Ramaswamy of dishonest behavior for using different addresses on his New York bar license and Ohio voter registration. Vance urged Republicans to choose Ramaswamy, regardless of whether the ad was appropriate, saying that Acton was not fit to be governor.

In Iowa, the Associated Press called the governor’s race for Democrat Rob Sand, who led with 56% of the vote with more than 90% of votes counted. Republican Zach Lahn had won about 44%. 

Lahn, an entrepreneur who co-founded a private school, defeated Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra in the June primary. Sand, meanwhile, serves as state auditor and is the only Democrat currently holding statewide elected office in Iowa.