Multiple GOP, Democratic Candidates Announce 2026 Gubernatorial Runs in Maine, Georgia, Tennessee

As the 2026 gubernatorial races heat up across multiple states, Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee announced her candidacy, emphasizing conservative values, job creation, education reform, and strict immigration enforcement under the leadership of President Trump. In Georgia, former DeKalb County CEO and Labor Commissioner Mike Thurmond entered the Democratic primary, focusing on healthcare access, education, and uniting Georgians to address economic challenges amid federal Republican policies. Maine's gubernatorial contest has become crowded, with Republican businessman Ben Midgley pledging to lower energy costs, restore parental rights in education, and support the Second Amendment, while Democrat Jason Cherry, a former federal law enforcement attorney, aims to increase government transparency and efficiency. Both Maine candidates highlight economic opportunity and governance reform, with Midgley stressing business climate improvements and immigration control, and Cherry offering a background in federal service and prior electoral experience. These gubernatorial races illustrate the ongoing national political dynamic, where candidates align their platforms closely with broader partisan themes, including support for or opposition to President Trump’s administration and its policy direction. The diverse fields in these states reflect a competitive cycle where candidates seek to address local concerns while tying their campaigns to national political currents.