Likely candidates beginning to emerge in several key states
If you value articles like this, sign up for our daily email newsletter and support us with a donation.
While political activity remains largely quiet in the early 2026 Senate and House races, it's a different story for budding Governors' campaigns.
First, in South Dakota, with Gov. Kristi Noem now officially confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) has ascended to the Governorship and is expected to seek a full term in 2026. Ms. Noem was term-limited for the coming election, so a GOP nomination fight has been expected for months.
With Mr. Rhoden now the sitting Governor, a major multi-candidate Republican primary may be avoided. At this time, however, it is too early to tell exactly how the state's politics may unfold. For his part, Mr. Rhoden served as Lt. Governor for the entirety of Ms. Noem's tenure as Governor, beginning in 2019. Prior to assuming his statewide office, Mr. Rhoden served for 16 years in the state legislature.
Late last week in Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) announced that she will seek the Democratic gubernatorial nomination to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D). This race will be complicated with the presence of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan running as an Independent. He was elected to his present position three times as a Democrat.
The possibility of splitting the Democratic vote between Mr. Duggan and the eventual party nominee could give the eventual Republican nominee the opportunity of winning the statewide vote with just plurality support. Crowded primaries in both major parties are expected to form.
Turning to New Mexico, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D), who had been considering making a bid for Governor on the heels of his re-election to a third term, announced last week that he will not enter the gubernatorial race. This likely makes former US Interior Secretary and ex-Congresswoman Deb Haaland the Democrats' leading candidate to succeed term-limited Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D).
In Ohio, where Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is ineligible to seek a third term, Attorney General David Yost (R) formalized his gubernatorial campaign with a specific announcement late last week, though for months it has been no secret that he would run. With Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who was thought to be Mr. Yost's main opponent, now an appointed US Senator, the Attorney General's top GOP competitor may well be former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who is expected to make a formal announcement this week. State Treasurer Robert Sprague (R) also announced his candidacy earlier this month.
The state's health care director during Covid, Dr. Amy Acton, has already announced her bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, but we can expect additional individuals to ultimately declare their candidacies, as well.
In South Carolina, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-Charleston) confirmed last week that she is seriously considering a run for Governor, since incumbent Henry McMaster (R) is ineligible to succeed himself. Lieutenant Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson, son of US Rep. Joe Wilson (R-Springdale), are also potential Republican gubernatorial candidates. Representative Ralph Norman (R-Rock Hill) is also mentioned as a possible contender, but if he is to launch a statewide Republican primary bid it would more likely be against Sen. Lindsey Graham.
As mentioned in our column late last week, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R) is now running thank you ads for her US Senate victory, which is an apparent move to solidify support for the open 2026 Governor's race. It was clear that several GOP members of the Tennessee congressional delegation were preparing to run, specifically Rep. John Rose (R-Clarksville), who was scheduled to announce soon after the November election, but such may not materialize.
With polls showing she would easily win a gubernatorial primary, Sen. Blackburn's presence in the race is suggesting that the twice-elected Senator won't even draw major opposition. Should she choose to run to succeed term-limited Gov. Bill Lee (R), it appears Blackburn would be a lock to win both the Republican primary and general elections.
Jim Ellis is a 35-year veteran of politics at the state and national levels. He has served ss executive director for two national political action committees, as well as a consultant to the three national Republican Party organizations in DC, the National Federation of Independent Business, and various national conservative groups.
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, he earned a B. A. in Political Science from the University of California at Davis in 1979. Jim raised his daughter, Jacqueline, alone after his wife died following a tragic car accident. He helped establish the Joan Ellis Victims Assistance Network in Rochester, NH. Jim also is a member of the Northern Virginia Football Officials Association, which officiates high school games throughout the region.
Editor's note:
HOW SOULS AND LIBERTY WILL MOVE FORWARD THE NEXT FOUR YEARS
There can be no doubt we have witnessed an extraordinary moment in the history of the United States and the world. The election of Donald Trump to a second Presidential term is a great victory for Christian patriots, but it is not a complete or final victory. Rather, it is a reprieve from the ceaseless assaults on life, liberty and faith we have had to endure for four years.
Donald Trump is president once again, and his decisions, Cabinet selections, and force of personality are shaping the United States and the world in ways we could only dream of.
We have a Heaven-sent opportunity to step up and ensure this victory is not merely a one-off, but the first of many and the foundation of a lasting legacy of patriotic, Christian, pro-family policies.
Souls and Liberty will be part of that effort, but we cannot do it without you. It will require reporting and activism that YOU can be a part of.
Can you step up and support us? Just once – a one-time donation is very valuable. Or, better yet, support us every month with a recurring donation. Thank you, and may God bless you.
Stephen Wynne
Editor-in-Chief, Souls and Liberty
Comments