Historic Bid: Black Candidates Compete for Governorship in Four States

Four Black candidates are vying for gubernatorial positions in Virginia, Michigan, New Jersey, and Georgia, comprising two Republicans and two Democrats. Virginia's Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is campaigning in the Democratic stronghold, with elections on Nov. 4. U.S. Rep. John James has declared his candidacy in Michigan for Nov. 3, 2026. In Georgia, former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, recently entered the race for the election on Nov. 3, 2026. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka is also running in New Jersey for the Nov. 4 election.