2026 State Gubernatorial Races: Montana, Michigan, Kansas and Colorado

Multiple U.S. states are holding gubernatorial elections in 2026 due to term limits affecting incumbent governors, according to separate reports on Montana, Michigan, Kansas and Colorado. In Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte is term-limited, with Republicans Troy Downing, Kristen Juras and Austin Knudsen identified as gubernatorial contenders; the report also notes Ryan Zinke's retirement will open Montana's 1st congressional district. In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis is term-limited after eight years in office, with Democratic candidates U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser competing for their party's nomination, and Republicans state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and state Rep. Scott Bottoms among three GOP contenders. Kansas held its gubernatorial primary on August 4, 2026, with term-limited Democratic Governor Laura Kelly concluding her second term; Democratic candidates Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher ran in that primary, while Senate President Ty Masterson was among several Republicans competing in theirs. Michigan's gubernatorial primary also took place on August 4, 2026, with candidates including Benson, James and Johnson tracked in live primary results coverage. Kansas's general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026; Colorado and Montana will also hold general elections in November 2026, according to the reports, though exact November dates for those states were not specified in the available material. As of the most recent reporting, primary outcomes in Michigan and Kansas had occurred or were being tabulated, while Montana's and Colorado's primary results and full candidate fields were not detailed in the supplied reports. The specific policy positions of Montana and Kansas candidates remain unreported here, apart from Colorado Democratic candidates' stated intent to oppose Trump administration policies. Final nominees for the November general elections in Montana, Michigan, Kansas and Colorado, along with full result tallies, remain unresolved in the available reporting.