soft-shell crab exportersoftshell crab exporterVietnam crab exporterVietnamese mud crab export
Find us on Google 📌 America's birthday 🎂 Start the day smarter ☀️ Get the USA TODAY app
POLITICS

Meet the Black candidates seeking history in governor's races this fall

Aug. 29, 2026, 3:00 a.m. ET
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), one of only three Black governors elected in U.S. history, is championing efforts to elect more Black governors as a diverse slate of candidates, inclduing himself, competes in races across the country this fall.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), one of only three Black governors elected in U.S. history, is championing efforts to elect more Black governors as a diverse slate of candidates, inclduing himself, competes in races across the country this fall.
Arturo Holmes, Getty Images For ESSENCE
Rep. Byron Donalds , a Trump-backed Republican and leading contender in Florida’s governor’s race, could make history this fall as the state’s first Black governor if he defeats Democrat David Jolly in November.
Rep. Byron Donalds, a Trump-backed Republican and leading contender in Florida’s governor’s race, could make history this fall as the state’s first Black governor if he defeats Democrat David Jolly in November.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Republican Lisa Demuth , Minnesota’s first Black House speaker, is running for governor in a historic race. If elected, Demuth would become the state’s first Black governor and its first female Republican governor.
Republican Lisa Demuth, Minnesota’s first Black House speaker, is running for governor in a historic race. If elected, Demuth would become the state’s first Black governor and its first female Republican governor.
Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune Via Getty Images
Rep. John James , the Republican nominee for Michigan governor, is locked in a competitive race against Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. If elected, the Army veteran would become Michigan’s first Black governor.
Rep. John James, the Republican nominee for Michigan governor, is locked in a competitive race against Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. If elected, the Army veteran would become Michigan’s first Black governor.
Bill Pugliano, Getty Images
South Carolina state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, the Democratic nominee for governor, is campaigning to become the state’s first Black governor.
South Carolina state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, the Democratic nominee for governor, is campaigning to become the state’s first Black governor.
Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service Via Getty Images
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley , Wisconsin’s Democratic nominee for governor, won a closely watched primary race and is seeking to become the state’s first Black governor in November.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Wisconsin’s Democratic nominee for governor, won a closely watched primary race and is seeking to become the state’s first Black governor in November.
Daniel Boczarski, Getty Images For WisDems
Keisha Lance Bottoms , the former mayor of Atlanta and Georgia’s Democratic nominee for governor, is seeking to make history as the state’s first Black and first female governor.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta and Georgia’s Democratic nominee for governor, is seeking to make history as the state’s first Black and first female governor.
Megan Varner, Getty Images
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Democratic nominee for governor, is challenging Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo in one of the nation’s most competitive races. Ford was Nevada’s first Black attorney general.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Democratic nominee for governor, is challenging Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo in one of the nation’s most competitive races. Ford was Nevada’s first Black attorney general.
IAN MAULE, AFP Via Getty Images
Featured Weekly Ad