Eight Black Major Party Candidates Run for Governor

Eight Black major party candidates are running for governor in the upcoming November elections, a historic increase given that only three Black governors have been elected in U.S. history. The slate includes Republicans Byron Donalds in Florida, John James in Michigan, and Lisa Demuth in Minnesota, as well as Democrats Aaron Ford in Nevada, Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, Jermaine Johnson in South Carolina, and David Crowley in Wisconsin, alongside current Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

The candidates are campaigning amid national debates over identity politics and recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings regarding legislative redistricting. Some candidates, such as Donalds and Demuth, emphasize meritocracy and broad policy appeals. Others argue that representative leadership is critical for addressing systemic issues like health disparities and voting rights, noting that certain community issues are often ignored without a representative voice.

Democratic candidates and supporters view the role of governor as a critical defense against federal diversity rollbacks. In Minnesota, the election will also determine the state's first female governor as Lisa Demuth competes against Senator Amy Klobuchar.