Candidates who denied the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results are positioned to win gubernatorial races in 2026, a development that could give them significant oversight authority over the administration of the 2028 presidential election in some of the nation's most contested swing states.
A wave of Republican candidates who disputed the outcome of the 2020 presidential election are running for governor in pivotal swing states, including Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania — states that could once again prove decisive in the next presidential contest.
If elected, these candidates would assume broad executive authority over their states' electoral machinery, including the power to appoint or influence key election officials and, in some cases, to certify election results. That prospect has drawn concern from election law experts and voting rights advocates, who argue the stakes extend well beyond the 2026 midterm cycle.
Governors do not directly count votes, but they wield considerable influence over the conditions under which elections are conducted. They can sign or veto election-related legislation, appoint members to state election boards and, in some states, play a role in the certification process — levers that critics say could be used to delay or contest results.
Proponents of these candidates argue that their concerns about 2020 reflected legitimate questions about electoral integrity and that, if elected, they would administer elections fairly and lawfully. Supporters contend that the focus on their past statements unfairly dismisses millions of voters who share doubts about the 2020 outcome.
The contests are still more than a year away, and primary fields in several states have not yet been finalized. But the early positioning of these candidates has already drawn significant attention from both national party organizations and advocacy groups monitoring electoral administration.
Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania each played central roles in the post-2020 disputes, with all three states targeted by legal challenges and political pressure campaigns that ultimately failed to overturn their certified results. Winning governorships in those states ahead of 2028 would represent a significant strategic opportunity for those seeking to reshape how future elections are run.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Governors in swing states hold meaningful procedural influence over elections, including the ability to shape certification timelines, appoint election officials and sign or block election-related legislation ahead of 2028.
- The 2026 gubernatorial elections could reshape the institutional landscape for presidential elections in three states — Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania — that were decisive in both 2020 and 2024.
- A successful election-denier candidacy in any of these states would likely intensify national debate about the administration of future elections and test the resilience of existing electoral safeguards.
Background
Following the 2020 presidential election, a number of Republican officials and candidates publicly contested Joe Biden's victory, despite more than 60 court rulings rejecting claims of widespread fraud and confirmations from election officials in both parties. Several of those individuals subsequently ran for statewide offices in 2022, with mixed results — some winning, others losing in part due to their association with election denial.
The 2022 cycle provided an early test of how broadly election-skeptic candidates could appeal to general electorates. In Arizona, for instance, gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who refused to concede her loss, became a prominent national figure within Republican politics despite her defeat. That cycle suggested limits to election-denial politics in general elections, though the political environment in 2026 may differ.
Governors in the relevant states do not unilaterally control elections, but their powers are not trivial. State legislatures and secretaries of state also play important roles, and the interplay among those offices will be closely watched as the 2028 election approaches.
Key Perspectives
Republican candidates and supporters: Argue that concerns about 2020 electoral integrity were sincere and widely shared, and that their candidacies reflect legitimate democratic participation. They contend that as governors they would follow existing law.
Election law experts and voting rights advocates: Warn that placing officials who have demonstrated a willingness to contest certified results in positions of executive authority creates structural risk for future elections, particularly if outcomes are again close or disputed.
Critics/Skeptics: Some political analysts caution against overstating gubernatorial power over elections, noting that secretaries of state, courts and the federal government provide checks. Others argue the concern is less about formal powers and more about the political signaling that such elections would send.
What to Watch
- Primary outcomes in Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania through early 2026, which will clarify which candidates advance to general elections.
- Whether national Republican and Democratic organizations make gubernatorial races in these states a top funding priority ahead of November 2026.
- Any legislative efforts in these states to modify election administration procedures, which could be signed or vetoed by incoming governors.