State Government Relations
Governor Transition Tracker
Last updated November 12, 2026 at 12:43 PM MT
After this November's election, twenty-one states will have new governors and at least five governorships are changing parties. Transition processes are kicking off with governors-elect already naming transition leaders, advisers and inaugural teams. In the coming weeks, they will announce the senior staff in their offices and the officials who will run their cabinet agencies. The tracker below is updated daily and will keep Brownstein clients updated on these developments in all 21 states. Please reach out to your Brownstein team with any questions about what these changes mean for your priorities in a particular state.
New Governors Elected in 2026
21 states will seat a new governor in January 2027. Shaded by the governor-elect's party. Results as of Nov. 12, 2026.
21 new governors: 13 Democrats · 6 Republicans · 2 not yet called
Select a state on the map or in the list to see its transition updates. Choose a state to see its transition updates. States with announced appointments are detailed further down the page.
- Democrat (13)
- Republican (6)
- New governor, race not yet called (2)
- No new governor
Democrats
Republicans
Not yet called
flip = seat changes party from current governor
Status at a glance
| State | Governor-elect | Race | Inauguration | Transition leads named | Chief of staff | Cabinet picks | Transition site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Tommy Tuberville (R) | Called (R) | Jan. 18, 2027 | Yes | Jordan Doufexis | 0 | None found |
| Alaska | Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D) | Pending | Dec. 7, 2026, at noon | Not yet | Not named | 0 | None found |
| California | Xavier Becerra (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 4, 2027 | Yes | Not named | 0 | becerratransition.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Colorado | Phil Weiser (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 12, 2027 | Yes | Natalie Hanlon Leh | 4 | buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org (opens in a new tab) |
| Florida | Byron Donalds (R) | Called (R) | Jan. 5, 2027, in Tallahassee | Yes | Not named | 0 | None found |
| Georgia | Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 11, 2027 | Yes | Not named | 0 | georgiaspromise.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Iowa | Rob Sand (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 12, 2027 | Yes | Abe Rakov | 0 | iowaforall.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Kansas | Cindy Holscher (D) | Pending | Jan. 11, 2027, in Topeka | Not yet | Not named | 0 | None found |
| Maine | Hannah Pingree (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 6, 2027 | Yes | Not named | 0 | hannahpingreetransition.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Michigan | Jocelyn Benson (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 1, 2027 | Yes | Not named | 0 | mi2027transition.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Minnesota | Amy Klobuchar (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 4, 2027 | Yes | Not named | 0 | govklobuchar.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Nevada | Aaron Ford (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 4, 2027 | Yes | Not named | 0 | aaronfordtransition.com (opens in a new tab) |
| New Mexico | Deb Haaland (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 1, 2027 | Yes | Sarita Nair | 0 | haalandtransition.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Ohio | Amy Acton (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 11, 2027 | Yes | Not named | 0 | govelectacton.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Oklahoma | Mike Mazzei (R) | Called (R) | Jan. 11, 2027, at the State Capitol | Yes | Not named | 0 | mikeforok.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Rhode Island | Helena Foulkes (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 5, 2027 | Yes | Not named | 0 | helenatransition.com (opens in a new tab) |
| South Carolina | Alan Wilson (R) | Called (R) | Jan. 13, 2027, at noon | Yes | Not named | 0 | None found |
| Tennessee | Marsha Blackburn (R) | Called (R) | Jan. 16, 2027 | Yes | Michael Hendrix | 0 | transition.marshablackburn.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Texas | Gina Hinojosa (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 19, 2027 | Yes | Not named | 0 | governorhinojosa.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Wisconsin | David Crowley (D) | Called (D) | Jan. 4, 2027 | Yes | Jeff Pertl | 0 | crowley.wi.gov (opens in a new tab) |
| Wyoming | Eric Barlow (R) | Called (R) | Jan. 4, 2027 | Yes | Erin Taylor | 1 | governor-elect.wyo.gov (opens in a new tab) |
State by state
Alabama: Gov.-elect Tommy Tuberville (R)
Tuberville, Alabama's senior U.S. senator since 2021 and the former head football coach at Auburn University, defeated Democrat Doug Jones in a rematch of their 2020 Senate race. He succeeds term-limited Gov. Kay Ivey and is a close ally of President Trump. He campaigned on cutting taxes, shrinking the state workforce, auditing every state agency, expanding the CHOOSE Act school choice program, fully funding First Class Pre-K and recruiting manufacturing jobs.
- Governor-elect
- Tommy Tuberville (R) (Republican)
- Race
- Called (R)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 18, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Jordan Doufexis
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- None found
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Gray | Member, Golden Age Action Team (pre-election) | President, Strategy Public Relations (Mobile) | July 24, 2026 |
| Gibson Vance | Member, Golden Age Action Team (pre-election) | Principal, Beasley Allen law firm; former Alabama State Bar president | July 24, 2026 |
| Jim McLane | Member, Golden Age Action Team (pre-election) | Founder and owner, NaphCare | July 24, 2026 |
| Chad Witcher | Member, Golden Age Action Team (pre-election) | Co-founder and chief operating officer, Synergi Partners | July 24, 2026 |
| Loree Skelton | Member, Golden Age Action Team (pre-election) | Health care attorney and businesswoman; former Alabama deputy attorney general | July 24, 2026 |
| Bruce Culpepper | Member, Golden Age Action Team (pre-election) | Retired president and U.S. country chair, Shell Oil Company | July 24, 2026 |
| Kyle Burt | Member, Golden Age Action Team (pre-election) | President, KyKenKee | July 24, 2026 |
| Reid Dove | Member, Golden Age Action Team (pre-election) | Chairman, AAA Cooper Transportation; director, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings | July 24, 2026 |
- Golden Age Transition Team: Post-election transition operation; Doufexis appointment was its first personnel announcement, with more to come before January (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Golden Age Action Team (pre-election review group): Nine-member group formed by the campaign in July to review state agencies, spending and duplication and prepare policy and personnel recommendations; chaired by Jordan Doufexis, now incoming chief of staff (listed under Governor's Office); excludes lobbyists, current legislators and former elected officials; not confirmed whether all members continue post-election (July 24, 2026)
Governor's Office
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Doufexis | Chief of Staff | Chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville since January 2025; chaired the gubernatorial campaign | Nov. 5, 2026 |
Other Signals
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Moore | U.S. Senator-elect for the seat Tuberville is leaving | U.S. representative (R-Ala.); won the regular Nov. 3 election, so no vacancy appointment is expected | Nov. 3, 2026 |
- Relationship with outgoing Gov. Kay Ivey: Ivey called Tuberville Nov. 5 to congratulate him; the two pledged in a joint statement to work together on a smooth transition (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Early priorities: Fight crime, eliminate the state grocery tax, cut wasteful spending, property tax relief for seniors, raise median income; campaign playbook also calls for agency audits, a hiring freeze, merging at least a dozen agencies, more troopers, widening I-65, certificate-of-need reform and no Medicaid expansion (Nov. 3, 2026)
- Staffing signal (Reported, not confirmed): Tuberville said 85 to 90 percent of his U.S. Senate staff plan to move to Montgomery (Aug. 10, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Alaska: Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (leading, race uncalled)
While this race hasn't been officially called, it is leaning blue. Kreiss-Tomkins, a Sitka Democrat, left Yale to run for the Legislature and served a decade in the Alaska House (2013 to 2023) as part of its bipartisan coalition majority, including on its fiscal working group. The race has not been called: he leads with roughly 49 percent of first-choice votes, and an unofficial, preliminary ranked-choice tally by FairVote shows him defeating Republican Bernadette Wilson about 55 to 45. The state's official ranked-choice tabulation is scheduled for November 18. If confirmed, he would succeed term-limited Gov. Mike Dunleavy as Alaska's first Democratic governor since 2002. He ran on public school funding, lowering the cost of living and fixing the state's structural deficit, and pledged a cabinet split evenly among Democrats, independents and Republicans.
- Governor-elect
- Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D) (Not yet called)
- Race
- Pending
- Inauguration
- Dec. 7, 2026, at noon
- Transition leads named
- Not yet
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- None found
Transition Structure
No transition appointments announced yet.
Other Signals
- Early priorities: Multiparty administration; forward-fund K-12 education; retirement for teachers and public employees; cost of living (housing, energy, child care); balanced budget; restore the ferry system (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Transition planning: Kreiss-Tomkins says he has begun transition planning and will name transition co-chairs from three parties (a Democrat, a Republican and an independent) once the outcome is more certain; no transition team or staff named yet (Nov. 11, 2026)
Last updated November 12, 2026
California: Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra (D)
Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton by double digits to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom and will be California's first Latino governor since 1875. The son of a union construction worker and a Stanford-trained lawyer, he served 24 years in Congress, then as California Attorney General and as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Biden. He campaigned on affordability, promising to declare a housing state of emergency on his first day, cut permitting delays and enforce local housing commitments, and he will work with expanded Democratic supermajorities in the Legislature.
- Governor-elect
- Xavier Becerra (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 4, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- becerratransition.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liz Saldivar | Transition lead | Longtime Becerra aide; his district director in Congress and director of external affairs at the California Department of Justice | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Nicole Elliott | Agency review director (leads selection of agency directors) | Former director, California Department of Cannabis Control; longtime Newsom adviser | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Arsenio Mataka | Transition policy director | Deputy, Bay Area Air District; former senior counselor to Becerra at U.S. HHS and environmental policy adviser at the California Department of Justice | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Lindsey Cobia | Senior adviser | Runs Newsom's Campaign for Democracy PAC; Newsom administration veteran | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Kyle Layman | Senior adviser | Chief strategist, Becerra campaign | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Courtni Pugh | Co-director of external affairs | Democratic labor strategist; adviser to Newsom's Proposition 50 redistricting campaign | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Kenneth Maxey II | Co-director of external affairs | President and CEO, Urban League of San Francisco Bay Area | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Erika Li | Transition budget director | Chief deputy director for budget, California Department of Finance (since 2020) | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Michael Cohen | Transition senior advisor for budget | Chief operating investment officer, CalPERS; state finance director under Gov. Jerry Brown (2013-2018) | Nov. 11, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: becerratransition.com (application portal at becerratransition.com/join for administration roles; asks for a cover letter and résumé) (Nov. 12, 2026)
Other Signals
- Early priorities: Cost of living as the top focus; affordable health care; housing; energy and gas prices; AI impacts; middle-class tax cuts on the table (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Legislative leadership meeting: Met Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President pro Tem Monique Limón on health care, energy costs, AI and the housing bond; floated a free-electricity "power hour" for low-income households; did not commit to reversing Medi-Cal cuts for undocumented immigrants (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Finance director search and transition timing: Wants a finance director who knows the numbers; transition team named Nov. 10; Erika Li named transition budget director Nov. 11; no chief of staff or finance director named yet (Nov. 5, 2026)
Last updated November 12, 2026
Colorado: Gov.-elect Phil Weiser (D)
Weiser, Colorado's two-term Attorney General, defeated Republican Victor Marx after beating U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in the June Democratic primary, and he succeeds term-limited Gov. Jared Polis. He previously served as dean of the University of Colorado Law School, held senior posts in the Clinton and Obama administrations, and clerked for Supreme Court Justices Byron White and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He campaigned on affordability, calling housing his top priority, along with public safety, accountability in state government and continued legal challenges to the Trump administration.
- Governor-elect
- Phil Weiser (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 12, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Natalie Hanlon Leh
- Cabinet picks
- 4
- Transition site
- buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Meyers | Transition co-chair | Former chief of staff to Gov. John Hickenlooper | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Omar Montgomery | Transition co-chair | President, Rocky Mountain State Conference of the NAACP | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Meg Porfido | Transition co-chair | Former general counsel and chief of staff to Gov. Roy Romer | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Alan Salazar | Transition co-chair | CEO, Denver Water; former chief of staff to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Roy Romer | Honorary co-chair | Former Colorado governor | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Federico Peña | Honorary co-chair | Former Denver mayor; former U.S. Transportation and Energy secretary | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Ken Salazar | Honorary co-chair | Former U.S. senator, Interior secretary and ambassador to Mexico | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Rebecca Kourlis | Honorary co-chair | Former Colorado Supreme Court justice | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Seth Levine | Policy area lead: Consumer services, regulatory agencies, OIT, revenue, personnel and administration | Not reported | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Kathy Nesbitt | Policy area lead: Consumer services, regulatory agencies, OIT, revenue, personnel and administration | Not reported | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Matt Baca | Policy area lead: Economic growth, education and workforce | Not reported | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Pat Meyers | Policy area lead: Economic growth, education and workforce | Former chief of staff to Gov. Hickenlooper | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Katherine Archuleta | Policy area lead: Energy, natural resources and agriculture | Not reported | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Keirstin Beck | Policy area lead: Energy, natural resources and agriculture | Not reported | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Bernie Buescher | Policy area lead: Health and human services | Former Colorado secretary of state | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Carrie Warren-Gully | Policy area lead: Health and human services | Arapahoe County commissioner | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Amy Hansen | Policy area lead: Local affairs and transportation | Not reported | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Wendell Pryor | Policy area lead: Local affairs and transportation | Not reported | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Terrance Carroll | Policy area lead: Public safety, military and veterans affairs, corrections | Former Colorado House speaker; Taft Law | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Michael Dougherty | Policy area lead: Public safety, military and veterans affairs, corrections | District attorney, 20th Judicial District | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Ernest House Jr. | Policy area lead: Tribal affairs | Ute Mountain Ute | Nov. 4, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org (weisertogether.org redirects here); apply, join, jobs and idea portals (Nov. 4, 2026)
Governor's Office
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natalie Hanlon Leh | Chief of Staff | Chief Deputy Attorney General; former partner-in-charge, WilmerHale | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Kurt Morrison | Deputy Chief of Staff | Deputy AG for Intergovernmental Affairs; former legislative affairs director for Gov. Hickenlooper | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Lee Reichert | Chief Legal Counsel | Deputy AG for Regulatory and Revenue Law; former chief legal and government affairs officer, Molson Coors | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Anna Noschese | Administrative Director | Executive assistant to AG Weiser; former managing director, Silicon Flatirons Center (CU) | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Lawrence Pacheco | Chief Communications Officer and Press Secretary | Chief communications officer to AG Weiser and the Department of Law; former communications director, Colorado Department of Revenue | Nov. 6, 2026 |
Cabinet
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleave Simpson | Commissioner of Agriculture (nominee; Senate confirmation required) | Republican state Senate minority leader (Alamosa); general manager, Rio Grande Water Conservation District; fourth-generation farmer and rancher | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Jeni James Arndt | Director of Rural Advancement (Cabinet-level) | Former Fort Collins mayor (2021-2025); former state representative (2015-2021) and chair of the House agriculture, natural resources and water committee; Weiser campaign co-chair | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Dominick Moreno | Director, Governor's Office of State Planning and Budgeting | Deputy chief of staff to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston; former state Senate majority leader (2022-2023) and two-time Joint Budget Committee chair | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Scott Steinbrecher | Senior Director of Water Policy (Cabinet-level) | Deputy Attorney General for Natural Resources and Environment, overseeing about 70 lawyers and staff | Nov. 10, 2026 |
Other Signals
- Early priorities: Reviewing Gov. Polis's budget proposal; may seek adjustments to some ballot measures; awaiting legislative Medicaid committee input (Nov. 4, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Florida: Gov.-elect Byron Donalds (R)
Donalds, a congressman from Southwest Florida since 2021 who previously served two terms in the Florida House, beat former Rep. David Jolly by roughly 1.3 points to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis. He will be Florida's first Black governor and the first Black Republican elected governor anywhere in the country. Endorsed by President Trump, he campaigned on what he called kitchen-table issues: lowering property taxes (with a longerterm goal of repealing homestead property taxes), bringing down property insurance costs and housing affordability.
- Governor-elect
- Byron Donalds (R) (Republican)
- Race
- Called (R)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 5, 2027, in Tallahassee
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- None found
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manuel "Manny" Kadre | Chairman of Transition | CEO, Kollective Auto Group; chair, University of Miami Board of Trustees | Nov. 9, 2026 |
| Ryan Smith | Executive Director | Senior campaign director, Donalds-Avila campaign | Nov. 9, 2026 |
| Tarren Bragdon | Policy Chair | President and CEO, Foundation for Government Accountability | Nov. 9, 2026 |
| Teresa Ressel | Senior Advisor | Board member, Federal Home Loan Banks Office of Finance | Nov. 9, 2026 |
Other Signals
- Chief of staff (Reported, not confirmed): Campaign manager Chris Hudson will not serve as chief of staff and will return to the private sector; no chief of staff named (Nov. 11, 2026)
- Early priorities: Affordability and investing in young people; incoming first lady Erika Donalds cites property taxes, property-insurance reforms and aligning job training with workforce needs (Nov. 11, 2026)
- Relationship with outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis: DeSantis said Donalds "has a chance to do quite well"; no announcements yet on whether DeSantis agency heads will stay (Nov. 4, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Georgia: Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms (D)
Bottoms, Atlanta's mayor from 2018 to 2022 and later a senior adviser in the Biden White House, defeated Republican businessman Rick Jackson to succeed term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp. She becomes the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history and the first Democrat to win the Georgia governorship since 1998. She ran on affordability, proposing a lower state gas tax, letting local governments cut sales taxes on groceries and other necessities, eliminating state income tax for teachers, universal pre-K and an overhaul of the state's school funding formula.
- Governor-elect
- Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 11, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- georgiaspromise.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jon Keen | Chief operating officer, Georgia's Promise transition | Military veteran; former City of Atlanta COO | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Arthur Blank | Transition co-chair | Home Depot founder | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Roz Brewer | Transition co-chair | Former Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Jason Carter | Transition co-chair | Chair, Carter Center board | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Carmen Chubb | Transition co-chair | Former chief of staff to Bottoms as Atlanta mayor; affordable housing leader | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Richard Cox Jr. | Transition co-chair | Senior vice president, customer service, Delta Air Lines; former City of Atlanta COO | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Jane Kidd | Transition co-chair | Former state representative | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Michelle Nunn | Transition co-chair | Civic nonprofit leader | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Vicki Palmer | Transition co-chair | Retired Coca-Cola Enterprises executive; chaired Bottoms' mayoral transition | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Tyler Perry | Transition co-chair | Entertainment executive | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Rashad Taylor | Transition co-chair | Manager of Bottoms' gubernatorial campaign; former state representative; led creation of Atlanta's Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Harold Jones II | Honorary co-chair | State Senate minority leader | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Carolyn Hugley | Honorary co-chair | State House Democratic leader | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Peter Hubbard | Honorary co-chair | Public Service Commissioner | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Philip Gilman | Transition team member (specific role not stated) (Reported, not confirmed) | Former deputy commissioner for housing assistance and development, Georgia Department of Community Affairs; former deputy chief of staff to Atlanta Mayor Bottoms | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Calvin Smyre | Honorary co-chair | Former state representative | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Thurbert Baker; Roy Barnes; David Burgess; Terry Coleman; Cathy Cox; Wyche Fowler; Joe Frank Harris; Pierre Howard; Alicia Johnson; Sam Nunn; Jon Ossoff; Tim Ryles; Mark Taylor; Michael Thurmond; Raphael Warnock; Andrew Young | Additional honorary co-chairs (16) | Not reported | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Elise Durham | Media contact, Georgia's Promise transition | Not reported | Nov. 6, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: georgiaspromise.com (Georgia's Promise transition site with Join Our Team and Share Your Ideas portals) (Nov. 6, 2026)
Other Signals
- Early priorities: Medicaid expansion (cornerstone); teacher pay; affordability and health care access (Nov. 6, 2026)
- Lame-duck dynamics (Reported, not confirmed): Gov. Kemp offered staff and resources for the transition; per Bottoms, Kemp sees no need for a special session to curb the governor's powers or redraw districts, but left open one on budget priorities (Nov. 6, 2026)
- Additional early priorities: Replace Georgia Pathways as part of Medicaid expansion; review data center policy (possible construction pauses, tax policy); mental health care in the criminal justice system; more transition leaders and senior staff to be named in the coming days (Nov. 6, 2026)
Last updated November 12, 2026
Iowa: Gov.-elect Rob Sand (D)
Sand, Iowa's two-term State Auditor and the state's only Democrat in statewide office, defeated Republican businessman Zach Lahn to succeed Gov. Kim Reynolds. A Decorah native with a University of Iowa law degree, he previously served as an assistant attorney general prosecuting criminal cases, including the Hot Lotto rigging scheme. He ran as an independent-minded Democrat focused on property tax relief (including higher rates for out-of-state owners), public safety, water quality and opening primaries to independent voters. Republicans kept control of both legislative chambers.
- Governor-elect
- Rob Sand (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 12, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Abe Rakov
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- iowaforall.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elisabeth Buck | Co-director, Sand Transition Committee | Former president, United Way of Central Iowa; former Iowa Workforce Development director; former deputy chief of staff to Govs. Vilsack and Culver and ran both of their transitions | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Morgan Miller | Co-director, Sand Transition Committee | Political director, Iowa State Education Association; formerly AFSCME Council 61 | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Mike Mahaffey | Co-chair, transition steering committee | Former chair, Republican Party of Iowa | Nov. 9, 2026 |
| Brian Lohse | Co-chair, transition steering committee | Independent state representative; former Republican legislator who left the party after losing his June 2026 primary | Nov. 9, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: IowaForAll.com (join-the-team, boards and commissions, and idea-submission portals) (Nov. 5, 2026)
Governor's Office
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abe Rakov | Chief of Staff | Executive director, End Citizens United; co-founder of Let America Vote; former Missouri deputy secretary of state | Nov. 9, 2026 |
- Budget director: Sand will name his own budget director; none named yet (Nov. 7, 2026)
Cabinet
- Agency directors (Reynolds appointees): Sand plans to seek the resignations of Education Director McKenzie Snow and Management Director Kraig Paulsen (also acting HHS director); will meet the other 14 directors before deciding and is not planning other resignation requests (Nov. 6, 2026)
Other Signals
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randy Bauer | Budget advisor to the transition (not budget director) | Former state budget director under Gov. Vilsack | Nov. 6, 2026 |
- Early priorities: Plan to cut projected $1B deficit in half; voucher income limits, marijuana tax, data centers paying full taxes; tripartisan cabinet pledge (Nov. 6, 2026)
- Medicaid, HHS and workforce plans: Plans to begin unwinding Medicaid privatization on day one but says it cannot happen overnight; will talk with HHS principal deputy director Larry Johnson before any HHS leadership change; wants to expand remote work for state employees outside Des Moines; describes the transition team as tripartisan (Nov. 9, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Kansas: Democratic candidate Cindy Holscher (leading, race uncalled)
While this race hasn't been called by some outlets, it is leaning blue. Holscher, a state senator from Overland Park since 2021 who previously served in the Kansas House, leads Republican Senate President Ty Masterson by more than 7,000 votes. The race has not been called, a close-race audit is under way and Masterson has not conceded. If confirmed, she would succeed Gov. Laura Kelly, ending a roughly 60-year pattern of Kansas voters handing the governorship to the opposite party. Her campaign focused on affordability, public school funding and reducing corporate influence in politics.
- Governor-elect
- Cindy Holscher (D) (Not yet called)
- Race
- Pending
- Inauguration
- Jan. 11, 2027, in Topeka
- Transition leads named
- Not yet
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- None found
Transition Structure
No transition appointments announced yet.
Other Signals
- Transition status: Holscher, who has declared victory, says she has met with Gov. Laura Kelly and her team to start the transition and that her team will have more to share very soon; no transition team, staff or website named yet (Nov. 4, 2026)
Last updated November 12, 2026
Maine: Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree (D)
Pingree served four terms in the Maine House, including as Speaker, then led Gov. Janet Mills' Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. She defeated Republican Bobby Charles and independent Rick Bennett to succeed Mills and will be the second woman to serve as Maine's governor. The daughter of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, she campaigned on affordability, led by a $100 million annual housing investment, along with lowering energy costs, reforming the tax system for middle-class Mainers and infrastructure investment.
- Governor-elect
- Hannah Pingree (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 6, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- hannahpingreetransition.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Katz | Transition committee co-chair | Chair, University of Maine System board of trustees; former four-term Republican state senator and Augusta mayor | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Maulian Bryant | Transition committee co-chair | Executive director, Wabanaki Alliance; former Penobscot Nation ambassador | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Scott Ogden | Co-director, professional staff transition team | Former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Janet Mills | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Judy Camuso | Transition team member | Former commissioner, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (2019 to May 2026) | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Hannah Carter | Transition team member | Dean of Cooperative Extension and deputy provost, University of Maine | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Vicky Cohen | Transition team member | Recently retired Farmington teacher | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Ken Colburn | Transition team member | Principal, Symbiotic Strategies; member, Maine Climate Council | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Barbara Crowley | Transition team member | Pediatrician; Children's Oral Health Network of Maine leadership team | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Maureen Drouin | Transition team member | Executive director, Maine Conservation Voters and Maine Conservation Alliance | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Richard Evans | Transition team member | Retired Dover-Foxcroft surgeon; former Democratic state senator | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Liza Fleming-Ives | Transition team member | Executive director, Genesis Community Loan Fund | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Elsie Flemings | Transition team member | Executive director, Healthy Acadia | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Marwa Hassanien | Transition team member | Human resources director at a large Maine health system | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Luke Holden | Transition team member | Founder, Luke's Lobster; board member, Gulf of Maine Research Institute | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Liam LaFountain | Transition team member | Mayor of Biddeford | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Susan Nourse | Transition team member | Retired Freeport police chief | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Jason Parent | Transition team member | CEO, Avec (community action agency for Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties) | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Grant Provost | Transition team member | Business agent, Ironworkers Local 7; vice president, Maine AFL-CIO | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Peggy Rotundo | Transition team member | State senator (D-Lewiston) and Senate chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee; did not seek re-election in 2026 | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Claude Rwaganje | Transition team member | Founder and executive director, ProsperityME | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Steve Smith | Transition team member | Former president and CEO, L.L.Bean | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Eloise Vitelli | Transition team member | Former Maine Senate Democratic majority leader | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Ben Waxman | Transition team member | CEO and co-founder, American Roots | Nov. 10, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: hannahpingreetransition.com (Join the Team portal for governor's office roles and commissioner posts) (Nov. 4, 2026)
Inaugural Committee
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Geraghty | Inauguration planning lead | Former Portland mayor | Nov. 5, 2026 |
- Inaugural committee: Hannah Pingree Inaugural Committee formed alongside the Hannah Pingree Transition Committee; both accept private donations (Nov. 4, 2026)
Cabinet
- Cabinet selection: Transition team will recruit and recommend candidates for 15 cabinet posts and one Workers' Compensation Board seat; Pingree hopes to have most of the cabinet in place before the Jan. 6 inauguration; Mills-era commissioners who want to stay must compete, with multiple candidates interviewed for each post (Nov. 6, 2026)
Other Signals
- Early priorities: Met Gov. Mills Nov. 6, who pledged full cooperation; budget talks with the Mills team begin the week of Nov. 9; heating assistance, with a bipartisan emergency relief plan if federal relief does not come; tribal sovereignty bill in the first 100 days; preparing for federal SNAP and Medicaid cuts (Nov. 6, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Michigan: Gov.-elect Jocelyn Benson (D)
Benson, Michigan's Secretary of State since 2019 and a former dean of Wayne State University Law School, defeated Republican Rep. John James with about 54 percent of the vote to succeed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Nationally known for her work on election administration, she will be sworn in January 1, 2027 as Michigan's 50th governor, with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks as lieutenant governor, and enters office with a Democratic trifecta. She campaigned on lowering costs and raising wages.
- Governor-elect
- Jocelyn Benson (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 1, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- mi2027transition.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicole Sherard-Freeman | Transition co-chair | President and CEO, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Jim Ananich | Transition co-chair | CEO, Greater Flint Health Coalition | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Jeff Donofrio | Transition co-chair | President and CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Dan Kildee | Leadership council chair | CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Flint; former U.S. representative | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Kym Worthy | Leadership council chair | Wayne County prosecutor | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Gary Torgow | Leadership council chair | Chair, Huntington Bank Michigan; founder, The Sterling Group | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Cindy Pasky | Leadership council chair | President and CEO, Strategic Staffing Solutions | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Rosalynn Bliss | Leadership council member | MSU College of Human Medicine; former Grand Rapids mayor | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Laura Dickerson | Leadership council member | Vice president, UAW | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Fadwa Hammoud | Leadership council member | Miller Johnson; former Michigan solicitor general | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Austin Lowes | Leadership council member | Chairperson, Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Chandra Madafferi | Leadership council member | President, Michigan Education Association | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Terrence Martin | Leadership council member | President, AFT Michigan | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Marcus Muhammad | Leadership council member | Mayor of Benton Harbor | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Brent Pilarski | Leadership council member | Business manager, Michigan Laborers' District Council | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Mary Sheffield | Leadership council member | Mayor of Detroit | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Elissa Slotkin | Leadership council member | U.S. senator | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Linh Song | Leadership council member | Co-founder and chair, The Song Foundation | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Maria Martinez | Transition chief operations officer | Nearly six years in the Executive Office of the Governor | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Christina Grossi | Transition chief legal counsel | Partner, Honigman; former Whitmer chief legal counsel | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Mel Brown | Transition senior strategist | Managing director of government solutions, Miller Johnson; Granholm administration alum | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Assad Turfe | Transition senior advisor | Deputy county executive, Wayne County | Nov. 4, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: mi2027transition.com (Apply to Serve portal for state departments, the governor's office, and boards and commissions) (Nov. 4, 2026)
Other Signals
- Early priorities: Voluntary FOIA for governor's office on Day 1; 100-day plan due in coming weeks; quick affordability relief (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Data center policy: Proposes a pause on new data center construction until state standards are set; public hearings and project disclosure before approval; developers must show no harm to water or land; data centers to pay for the added electricity they use; no tax breaks; union labor and community benefits agreements; public tracking portal (Nov. 10, 2026)
Last updated November 12, 2026
Minnesota: Gov.-elect Amy Klobuchar (D)
Klobuchar, Minnesota's senior U.S. senator since 2007 and a former Hennepin County Attorney, entered the race after Gov. Tim Walz ended his re-election bid. She will be Minnesota's first woman governor and takes office with a DFL trifecta. She campaigned on changing how state government runs, starting with a day-one, top-to-bottom audit to root out fraud in public programs, and she has paired a no-new-taxes pledge with priorities on permitting reform, stronger gun laws, new housing and student outcomes.
- Governor-elect
- Amy Klobuchar (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 4, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- govklobuchar.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cindy Jesson | Transition team chair | Former Minnesota DHS commissioner and former appellate judge; worked on Dayton transition | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Doug Baker | Transition co-chair | Former Ecolab chairman and CEO; Mayo Clinic board of trustees | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Miguel Pozo | Transition co-chair | Trial attorney and corporate counsel; former national president, Hispanic National Bar Association | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Justin Buoen | Transition co-chair | Longtime Klobuchar advisor; managed her 2020 presidential campaign | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Rose Sullivan | Transition co-chair | Former Klobuchar Senate chief of staff; former associate director for health programs, White House OMB | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Melvin Carter | Transition co-chair | Former St. Paul mayor (eight years); former St. Paul City Council member | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Sam Clark | Transition co-chair | Chief deputy county attorney, Ramsey County; former St. Paul city attorney | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| MayKao Hang | Transition co-chair | VP of strategic initiatives and founding dean, Morrison Family College of Health, University of St. Thomas; former Wilder Foundation CEO | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Dan McConnell | Transition co-chair | President, Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Kim Norton | Transition co-chair | Mayor of Rochester; former state representative (2007-2017) | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Tony Sertich | Transition co-chair | President and CEO, Northland Foundation; former Minnesota House majority leader | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Lee Sheehy | Transition co-chair | Former Klobuchar chief of staff; former chair, Gov. Dayton's Judicial Selection Commission | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Scott Vadnais | Transition co-chair | President, Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters Association; Edina Fire Department captain | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Gary Wertish | Transition co-chair | President, Minnesota Farmers Union | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Ben Hill | Transition communications lead and spokesperson | Not reported | Nov. 5, 2026 |
- Transition budget: $162,000 (statutory) (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Transition website / apply portal: govklobuchar.com (interest form at govklobuchar.com/apply; applications for posts not yet open) (Nov. 4, 2026)
Other Signals
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Morrison; Steve Simon; Angie Craig | Names circulating for interim U.S. Senate appointment (Reported, not confirmed) | U.S. representative; Minnesota secretary of state; outgoing U.S. representative. Klobuchar has named no one and says she will be careful with the pick | Nov. 5, 2026 |
- Early priorities / pending decisions: Fraud audit of state government; likely agency overhaul in social services; U.S. Senate successor appointment and resignation timing pending; biennial budget due third Tuesday in February (Nov. 4, 2026)
- U.S. Senate appointment: Klobuchar has indicated she expects to make the interim appointment herself; whether she or Gov. Walz appoints depends on when she resigns the seat (she takes office Jan. 4); special election in November 2027 (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Additional early priorities: Independent senior leader to audit every agency for fraud; two-year budget with no new taxes; gun-safety bill, including an assault-weapons ban, as a top priority (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Cabinet timing: Klobuchar says she will announce her cabinet in the coming weeks; no chief of staff named yet (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Additional priorities: State credit to lower health insurance premiums; more manufactured and rural housing; consolidate state child care funding streams to make child care more affordable (Nov. 8, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Nevada: Gov.-elect Aaron Ford (D)
Ford, Nevada's Attorney General since 2019 and a former state Senate Majority Leader, unseated Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo despite being heavily outspent and will be Nevada's first Black governor. He ran on an "Affordable Nevada" agenda and has promised to declare the cost-of-living crisis a state emergency without raising taxes. His platform includes limits on corporate purchases of single-family homes, rental assistance, a pause on data center tax breaks and free school meals for all children.
- Governor-elect
- Aaron Ford (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 4, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- aaronfordtransition.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molly Forgey | Transition executive director | Democratic campaign operative; began her career in U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office; worked on Cortez Masto, Rosen and Sisolak campaigns | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Jorge Costa | Transition deputy executive director | Political director, Ford campaign; earlier voter engagement director, Democracy for All | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Tai Sims | Transition chief spokesperson | Communications director, Ford campaign; former communications director, Nevada State Democratic Party | Nov. 11, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: aaronfordtransition.com (hiring opportunities, Join the Team application portal at /apply, transition updates) (Nov. 11, 2026)
Other Signals
- Early priorities: Day-one "affordability emergency" directing agencies to return money to residents; every cabinet post tasked with finding ways to put money back in residents' pockets; housing supply and help for first-time buyers; curb corporate home purchases; cap drug costs at Medicare-negotiated prices; prevent utility rate hikes; new data centers must pay for their own power and use clean energy; consumer-oriented Public Utilities Commission appointees; school meals for every child; says no tax increase is needed (Nov. 4, 2026)
Last updated November 12, 2026
New Mexico: Gov.-elect Deb Haaland (D)
Haaland defeated Republican former Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull to succeed Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and become the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history. A citizen of the Laguna Pueblo with a law degree from the University of New Mexico, she was one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress in 2018 and then served as President Biden's Secretary of the Interior, the first Native American Cabinet secretary. Her campaign platform focused on affordability, education, public safety and jobs, including continued clean energy growth in a state budget that still leans heavily on oil and gas revenue.
- Governor-elect
- Deb Haaland (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 1, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Sarita Nair
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- haalandtransition.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan McArthur | Transition director | Campaign manager, Haaland for Governor | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Joan Mooney | Transition chief operations officer | Former principal deputy assistant secretary for policy, management and budget, U.S. Department of the Interior | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Felicia Salazar | Deputy transition director | Deputy campaign manager, Haaland for Governor; former deputy communications director, U.S. Department of the Interior | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Hannah Menchhoff | Transition communications director | Spokesperson, Haaland for Governor campaign | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Tom Udall | Honorary transition chair | Former U.S. senator and U.S. ambassador to New Zealand; former New Mexico attorney general | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Crystalyne Curley | Honorary transition co-chair | Navajo Nation President-elect | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Martin Heinrich | Honorary transition co-chair | U.S. senator | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Ben Ray Luján | Honorary transition co-chair | U.S. senator | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Melanie Stansbury | Honorary transition co-chair | U.S. representative | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Gabe Vasquez | Honorary transition co-chair | U.S. representative | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Teresa Leger Fernández | Honorary transition co-chair | U.S. representative | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Linda Trujillo | Honorary transition co-chair | State Senate majority leader | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Mimi Stewart | Honorary transition co-chair | State Senate president pro tempore | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Cindy Nava | Honorary transition co-chair | State Senate majority whip | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Javier Martinez | Honorary transition co-chair | Speaker of the New Mexico House | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Reena Szczepanski | Honorary transition co-chair | House majority leader | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Day Hochman-Vigil | Honorary transition co-chair | House majority whip | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| John Galvan | Honorary transition co-chair | Governor of Jemez Pueblo | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Craig Quanchello | Honorary transition co-chair | Governor of Picuris Pueblo | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Arden Kucate | Honorary transition co-chair | Governor of Zuni Pueblo | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Raymond Aguilar Jr. | Honorary transition co-chair | Governor of Santo Domingo Pueblo | Nov. 10, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: haalandtransition.com (Apply to Work for Deb intake form) (Nov. 4, 2026)
Inaugural Committee
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Chávez | Inauguration planning co-chair | Former Albuquerque mayor | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Clara Apodaca | Inauguration planning co-chair | Former New Mexico first lady | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Britton Hansen | Inauguration director | Former state and events director, Haaland for Governor campaign | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Leah Johnson | Deputy inauguration director | Former finance director, Haaland for Governor campaign | Nov. 10, 2026 |
Governor's Office
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarita Nair | Chief of Staff | New Mexico Workforce Solutions secretary; former Albuquerque chief administrative officer | Nov. 6, 2026 |
Other Signals
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bianca Ortiz-Wertheim; Alvin Warren; James Jimenez | Asked to assist with the transition (Reported, not confirmed) | Former state Homeland Security secretary; LANL Foundation, formerly Kellogg Foundation; former chief of staff to Gov. Bill Richardson | Nov. 5, 2026 |
- Early priorities: Data center moratorium executive order; new CYFD leader; no final cabinet decisions (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Handoff and early priorities: Met Gov. Lujan Grisham Nov. 6 to plan the handoff; will build on the current administration on health care, housing and affordability; will seek stopgap state funding for health care and food assistance ahead of federal cuts (Nov. 6, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Ohio: Gov.-elect Amy Acton (D)
Acton, a physician who led the Ohio Department of Health under Gov. Mike DeWine during the early COVID-19 response, defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy despite more than $100 million spent against her. She will be the first woman elected governor of Ohio and the first Democrat to win the office since 2006. Raised in Youngstown, she ran with former state party chair David Pepper on an affordability message centered on household costs such as energy bills and medical expenses.
- Governor-elect
- Amy Acton (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 11, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- govelectacton.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Haseley | Transition chair | Senior advisor, Acton campaign; former chief of staff to Gov. Ted Strickland; co-founder, O'Connor, Haseley & Wilhelm | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Elisabeth Hire | Transition co-chair for operations | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Janetta King | Transition co-chair for policy | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Gale King | Transition co-chair for talent | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: govelectacton.com (Call to Public Service résumé portal and idea submission) (Nov. 5, 2026)
Other Signals
- Lame-duck dynamics: Gov. DeWine says he won't sign bills that dramatically reduce governor's powers (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Legislative dynamics: Incoming Senate President Bill Reineke says his caucus has not discussed a lame-duck bill shifting executive powers but did not rule one out; Republicans keep control of the General Assembly (Nov. 6, 2026)
- Policy continuity: Plans to continue some of Gov. DeWine's literacy and clean-water initiatives (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Veto override math: Democrats gained Ohio House seats and ended the GOP House supermajority; Republicans keep a majority but can no longer override a veto on their own (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Veto override resolution and DeWine handoff: HJR 11, introduced Nov. 9 by Rep. Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), is a proposed constitutional amendment to lower the veto-override threshold from three-fifths to a simple majority; it needs a three-fifths vote in both chambers and then a statewide vote (earliest May 4, 2027), and as a joint resolution it does not go to the governor; House Speaker Matt Huffman says it may be dead on arrival; Gov. DeWine opposes changing the rules to lessen the governor's authority; DeWine and Acton met Nov. 7 at his farm to discuss putting her administration together (Nov. 10, 2026)
Last updated November 12, 2026
Oklahoma: Gov.-elect Mike Mazzei (R)
Mazzei, a Tulsa financial adviser, served in the Oklahoma Senate from 2004 to 2016 and later as Gov. Kevin Stitt's budget secretary. Backed by President Trump, he beat Attorney General Gentner Drummond in an August runoff and then defeated House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson by about six points, the narrowest margin for a non-incumbent Oklahoma governor since 2002. He campaigned on making Oklahoma a no-incometax state, starting with a first-year cut from 4.5 to 3 percent, eliminating property taxes for seniors and veterans, lowering insurance costs and a statewide literacy initiative modeled on Mississippi's.
- Governor-elect
- Mike Mazzei (R) (Republican)
- Race
- Called (R)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 11, 2027, at the State Capitol
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- mikeforok.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Mazzei | Transition chair | Structural engineer and Army veteran; the governor-elect's brother | Nov. 4, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: mikeforok.com (Apply to Serve portal for the governor's office, cabinet secretary posts and agencies) (Nov. 4, 2026)
Other Signals
- Personnel timing and holdovers: More team members to be named soon; Mazzei declined to say whether any Stitt officials will stay (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Early priorities: Eliminate the state income tax; end property taxes for seniors and veterans; lower home and auto insurance costs; student literacy; cut waste; create an Office of State Finance and Fiscal Responsibility and require quarterly budget-versus-actual reports from about 120 agencies (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Handoff and legislative dynamics: Former Stitt budget secretary; Stitt congratulated him and pledged a strong handoff; talks on first-100-days priorities under way with Speaker Kyle Hilbert and Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton; pledged closer work with tribal nations (Nov. 4, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Rhode Island: Gov.-elect Helena Foulkes (D)
Foulkes, a former CVS Health executive, unseated Gov. Dan McKee in the September Democratic primary, four years after losing to him by fewer than 3,000 votes, and then won the general election with about 58 percent against independent Ken Block and Republican Aaron Guckian. She will be Rhode Island's second woman governor, after Gina Raimondo. She campaigned on growing the middle class and lowering costs, and has named utility rates, tenants' rights, housing, an employer-matched child care fund and public transit as early priorities.
- Governor-elect
- Helena Foulkes (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 5, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- helenatransition.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caitlin Molina | Transition executive director | Former deputy director, RI Department of Human Services | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| RJ Kermes | Transition deputy director, operations | Director of campaign operations, Foulkes campaign; former chief of staff to Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Jon Romano | Transition senior advisor | Former adviser to Gov. Raimondo; Foulkes campaign adviser | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Jon Carvalho | Transition communications director | Dewey Square Group; former press secretary and deputy chief of staff to New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Elisabeth Wales | Transition public engagement liaison | Director of volunteers, Foulkes campaign | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Anthony Aquino | Transition public engagement liaison | Senior advisor for community engagement, Foulkes campaign; former director of community relations, City of Providence | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Maria Rivera | Co-chair, Leadership Transition Committee | Mayor of Central Falls | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Bari Harlam | Co-chair, Leadership Transition Committee | Business executive, marketing strategist and educator | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Maria Barry | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Member, RI Housing Board of Commissioners | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Nathan W. Biah Sr. | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | State representative | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Danny Bianco | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | LIUNA | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Joanne Chang | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Investor, adviser and entrepreneur | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| David N. Cicilline | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | President and CEO, Rhode Island Foundation | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Janet Coit | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Farm Fresh RI | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Christian Cowan | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Executive director, Polaris | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Pat Crowley | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | President, Rhode Island AFL-CIO | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Lou DiPalma | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | State senator | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Carrie Bridges Feliz | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Vice president, community health and equity, Brown University Health | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Keith Kelly | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Rhode Island state president, Citizens Bank | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Billy Libby | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Founder and CEO, Upper 90 | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Jesse Martin | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | President, SEIU Rhode Island State Council | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Patricia Martinez | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Retired, Central Falls School District | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Sarah Friedman Lowe | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Chief of education, City of Central Falls | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Mike McNally | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Granite Construction | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Cortney Nicolato | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | President and CEO, United Way of Rhode Island | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Paige Parks | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Executive director, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Sandi Peterson | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Operating partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice; health care and technology executive | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Joe Polisena Jr. | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | Mayor of Johnston | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Pablo Rodriguez | Member, Leadership Transition Committee | CEO, Nuestra Salud Products; associate professor emeritus, Warren Alpert Medical School | Nov. 10, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: helenatransition.com (serve-in-the-administration and share-an-idea portals) (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Transition budget: $464,000 in the state budget for transition expenses, shared with Attorney General-elect Kim Ahern (Nov. 5, 2026)
Cabinet
- Agency leadership: National search for a new RIDOT director; new leadership planned at the Department of Education; every senior position under review (Nov. 4, 2026)
Other Signals
- 100-day priorities: Review of Rhode Island Energy and utility costs; tenants' rights action before winter; modular housing push; about $15M to restore RIPTA service; solar on 100 public buildings in year one; reviewing whether the Washington Bridge can be finished sooner (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Transition committee charge: Committee will meet through November and December to develop strategic recommendations; priorities named are lowering costs, expanding housing, good-paying jobs and education; hundreds have applied to serve via helenatransition.com (Nov. 10, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
South Carolina: Gov.-elect Alan Wilson (R)
Wilson, South Carolina's Attorney General since 2011 and the son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, defeated Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson in a race that was closer than expected. He won the GOP nomination by defeating Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in a June runoff and once served as an assistant attorney general under Gov. Henry McMaster, whom he now succeeds. His campaign focused on public safety and fentanyl, education funding, data centers and the cost of living.
- Governor-elect
- Alan Wilson (R) (Republican)
- Race
- Called (R)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 13, 2027, at noon
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- None found
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thad Westbrook | Transition co-chair | Partner, Nelson Mullins; chair emeritus, University of South Carolina Board of Trustees | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Randy Lowell | Transition co-chair | Partner, Burr & Forman (Daniel Island) | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Jennifer Wilson | Transition team member | Writer, University of South Carolina; senior adviser to the campaign; wife of the governor-elect | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Mike Reichenbach | Transition team member | Lieutenant governor-elect; Florence car dealership owner | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Charisse Reichenbach | Transition team member | Works at the family car dealerships; wife of the lieutenant governor-elect | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Mikee Johnson | Transition team member | Board chair and president, US Brick | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Bob Castellani | Transition team member | Founder, North American Rescue | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Jim Brown | Transition team member | CEO, BCN Management | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Whitney Michael | Transition executive director | Chief of staff, South Carolina Attorney General's Office | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Thomas Hydrick | Transition general counsel | Former South Carolina solicitor general | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Claire Brady | Transition communications director | Deputy campaign manager, Wilson campaign | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Dylan Baldassare | Transition staff (title not specified) | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Patton Byars | Transition staff (title not specified) | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Hank Dillard | Transition staff (title not specified) | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Dillion Harris | Transition staff (title not specified) | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Ian Lichacz | Transition staff (title not specified) | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Trevin McKoy | Transition staff (title not specified) | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| John Moore | Transition staff (title not specified) | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Jamie Shuster | Transition staff (title not specified) | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Woods Wooten | Transition staff (title not specified) | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
Cabinet
- Cabinet director retention: Every cabinet director may reapply to keep the job; no agency changes announced; interim public health director Brannon Traxler says she will not reapply; parks director Duane Parrish says he would welcome staying (Nov. 8, 2026)
Other Signals
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Lightsey | Secretary of Commerce (future reported as uncertain) (Reported, not confirmed) | S.C. secretary of commerce; reported as vulnerable over Scout Motors site-prep cost overruns; no decision announced | Nov. 8, 2026 |
- Early priorities: Families First Audit Initiative, led by Lt. Gov.-elect Reichenbach, to review state spending, with a real-time spending website; eliminate the income tax, lower property taxes, seek authority to suspend the gas tax during price spikes (Nov. 6, 2026)
- Handoff and attorney general succession: Met Gov. Henry McMaster Nov. 4 to begin the handoff; Attorney General-elect David Stumbo, solicitor for the 8th Judicial Circuit, will succeed Wilson as AG (Nov. 6, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Tennessee: Gov.-elect Marsha Blackburn (R)
Blackburn, Tennessee's senior U.S. senator since 2019, previously served 16 years in the U.S. House and in the Tennessee Senate. She defeated Democrat Jerri Green 45.6 to 43 percent, the closest Tennessee governor's race in more than a century, to succeed Gov. Bill Lee and become the state's first woman governor. She ran on cost of living, including property tax relief for seniors and first-time homebuyers, workforce housing, child care, transportation investment, a "Tennesseestyle DOGE" review of state spending and expanding Education Freedom Scholarships to all families.
- Governor-elect
- Marsha Blackburn (R) (Republican)
- Race
- Called (R)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 16, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Michael Hendrix
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- transition.marshablackburn.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart McWhorter | Transition chairman | Deputy governor and commissioner of economic and community development under Gov. Bill Lee; keeps both posts while chairing | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Donna Barrett | Transition Advisory Committee member | Former state representative | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Julie Beaman | Transition Advisory Committee member | Former chief of staff and strategy in Tennessee state government (2023-2024); earlier chief strategy officer, Tennessee Department of General Services (appointed 2019) | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Steve Brophy | Transition Advisory Committee member | Former congressional chief of staff to Blackburn | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Cato Johnson | Transition Advisory Committee member | Retired SVP and chief of staff for public policy and regulatory affairs, Methodist Healthcare | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Arch Trimble | Transition Advisory Committee member | Founder, Arch About TN (economic development consulting) | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Abigail Sigler | Transition senior advisor | Campaign manager, Blackburn gubernatorial and Senate campaigns | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Dylan Miller | Transition staff director | Blackburn 2026 campaign staff | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Rex Purgason | Transition deputy staff director | Campaign staffer; managed Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs' 2022 campaign | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Jack Carnes | Transition deputy staff director | Blackburn 2024 Senate and 2026 gubernatorial campaign staff | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Annie Rogers | Transition director of operations | Head of operations, Blackburn campaign | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Todd Rapp | Transition press secretary | Former staff, Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Jim Henry | Chairman, Department of Children's Services advisory committee | Former state legislator; Tennessee Department of Children's Services commissioner (2013-2015) | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Cameron Smith | Member, Department of Children's Services advisory committee | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Maggie McNally Kimball | Member, Department of Children's Services advisory committee | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Cleo Griffin | Member, Department of Children's Services advisory committee | Not reported | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Jensen Blackiston | Executive assistant to Gov.-elect Blackburn | Executive assistant, Blackburn campaign | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Katie Tully | Executive assistant to transition chairman McWhorter | Communications assistant, Blackburn campaign | Nov. 6, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: transition.marshablackburn.com (application portal for appointments and leadership positions) (Nov. 10, 2026)
- DCS advisory committee charge: Assess DCS operations, structure and challenges and recommend the department's direction and leadership (Nov. 10, 2026)
Inaugural Committee
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ward Baker | Inaugural chairman | Founder and president, Baker Group Strategies; former executive director, National Republican Senatorial Committee | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Amy Pass | Inaugural executive director | President, The Pass Group; led campaign fundraising | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Melina Settles | Inaugural director of donor relations | State finance director, Blackburn campaign | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Anna Katherine White | Inaugural director of communications | Communications director, Baker Group Strategies | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Mary Morgan Ketchel | Inaugural strategic advisor | Event management and fundraising professional | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Jim Haslam | Inaugural honorary co-chair | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Daphene Andrew | Inaugural co-chair (Tri-Cities) | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Scott Andrew | Inaugural co-chair (Tri-Cities) | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Anita Decosimo | Inaugural co-chair (Chattanooga) | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Tom Decosimo | Inaugural co-chair (Chattanooga) | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Stephanie Ingram | Inaugural co-chair (Nashville) | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| John Ingram | Inaugural co-chair (Nashville) | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Anne Keeney | Inaugural co-chair (Memphis) | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Mike Keeney | Inaugural co-chair (Memphis) | Not reported | Nov. 11, 2026 |
Governor's Office
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Hendrix | Chief of Staff | Policy director to Gov. Bill Lee | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Russell Thomas | Chief Legal Counsel | Executive director, Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission | Nov. 11, 2026 |
Other Signals
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damon Hininger; Glenn Jacobs; Chuck Fleischmann | Names reported for the U.S. Senate appointment (Reported, not confirmed) | Former CoreCivic CEO; former Knox County mayor; U.S. representative | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Tim Burchett | Seeking consideration for the U.S. Senate appointment (Reported, not confirmed) | U.S. representative (R-Tenn.) | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Weston Wamp | Reported under consideration for the U.S. Senate appointment (Reported, not confirmed) | Hamilton County mayor | Nov. 7, 2026 |
- Early priorities: Cost of living (senior property-tax caps, first-time homebuyer abatements, workforce housing on state land, permit deregulation); a 'Tennessee-style DOGE' review of spending; child care; expanding Education Freedom Scholarships; public safety; health care; transportation (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Handoff with Gov. Bill Lee: Lee and Blackburn opened the transition at a joint news conference Nov. 4; Lee's deputy governor chairs the transition and his policy director is her chief of staff (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Education commissioner outlook (Reported, not confirmed): Blackburn is expected to replace Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds; no announcement (Nov. 4, 2026)
- U.S. Senate vacancy (Reported, not confirmed): Blackburn has said she intends to appoint her own successor and is reported to plan to keep her seat until sworn in as governor; if she resigned earlier, Gov. Lee would make the appointment; under state law an appointee serves until a successor is elected at the next regular November election (November 2028 for a January 2027 vacancy), and the elected successor completes the term ending in January 2031; no pick announced (Nov. 4, 2026)
Last updated November 12, 2026
Texas: Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa (D)
Hinojosa, a labor lawyer and Austin state representative first elected in 2016, denied Gov. Greg Abbott a record fourth term, winning roughly 53 to 46 percent. She will be the first Latina governor of Texas and the first Democrat in the office since Ann Richards. In the House she focused on public education and fought Abbott's private school voucher program. Her campaign promised a $1,500 "Corruption Tax Refund" paid from the state's rainy day fund and new leadership at the Texas Education Agency.
- Governor-elect
- Gina Hinojosa (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 19, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Not named
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- governorhinojosa.com (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Madden | Transition executive director | Former chief of staff to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Ryan Pollock | Transition co-chair | Executive director and secretary-treasurer, Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Ernest Bailes | Transition co-chair | Former Republican state representative, House District 18 (2017-2025); rancher and businessman | Nov. 5, 2026 |
| Tamala Barksdale | Senior advisor | Partner and chief strategy officer, madeXus; former Austin ISD trustee | Nov. 5, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: governorhinojosa.com (transition team page and Apply portal for résumés and first-100-days ideas) (Nov. 5, 2026)
Cabinet
- Education commissioner: No pick yet; Hinojosa is interviewing candidates for a new TEA head; a permanent pick needs two-thirds Senate approval, and if no appointee is confirmed during the session she can install one during the recess; Commissioner Mike Morath's current term expires in January 2027, the month she takes office (Nov. 6, 2026)
Other Signals
- Early priorities: Bipartisan administration; end voucher program; stop state district takeovers; overhaul TEA (Nov. 5, 2026)
- Boca Chica State Park: Asked Texas Parks and Wildlife to take no action during the transition on the proposed sale of Boca Chica State Park land to SpaceX (Nov. 5, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026
Wisconsin: Gov.-elect David Crowley (D)
Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive since 2020 and a former state Assembly member, defeated Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany by more than 200,000 votes to succeed Gov. Tony Evers. He will be Wisconsin's first Black governor and takes office January 4, 2027 with a Democratic trifecta after his party flipped both legislative chambers. He made affordability his top priority, with plans on housing, child care, a higher minimum wage, apprenticeships and workforce training, and stronger public schools.
- Governor-elect
- David Crowley (D) (Democrat)
- Race
- Called (D)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 4, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Jeff Pertl
- Cabinet picks
- 0
- Transition site
- crowley.wi.gov (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thad Nation | Transition director | Founder and senior partner, Nation Consulting; worked in the Doyle administration | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Shirley Ellis | Transition co-chair | Former senior adviser and district director to U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Greg Wesley | Transition co-chair | President and CEO, Greater Milwaukee Foundation | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Alex Lasry | Transition co-chair | Former senior vice president, Milwaukee Bucks | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Marcus Lewis | Transition co-chair | Educator and former UW-Stevens Point faculty member; Ho-Chunk Nation member | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Peng Her | Transition co-chair | Co-founder and CEO, The Hmong Institute (Madison) | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Nick Bauer | Transition co-chair | Milwaukee-area investment professional and business executive | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Kathleen Rulka | Transition co-chair | Retired marriage and family therapist and clinical chaplain, Marshfield | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Alec Knutson | Transition co-chair | Chief advocacy officer, Ascension Wisconsin | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Dan Terrio | Transition co-chair | Area extension director, UW-Madison Division of Extension (Milwaukee and Waukesha counties); Oneida Nation member | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Awais Khaleel | Transition co-chair | Assistant corporation counsel, Dane County | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Mary Arnold | Transition co-chair | Former mayor of Columbus, Wis. | Nov. 11, 2026 |
| Maria Luisa Morales | Transition co-chair | Community and immigrant rights advocate, Racine | Nov. 11, 2026 |
- Transition budget: Joint Finance Committee unanimously approved $124,200 for the transition on Nov. 10, the full amount requested ($107,700 payroll, $16,500 operating costs) (Nov. 10, 2026)
- Transition website / apply portal: crowley.wi.gov (official transition site with Apply for a Job portal and contact form) (Nov. 11, 2026)
Governor's Office
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Pertl | Chief of Staff | Former secretary, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families; earlier senior policy adviser to Tony Evers at the Department of Public Instruction | Nov. 11, 2026 |
Other Signals
- Transition status: Thad Nation is transition director; official transition site crowley.wi.gov is live with an Apply for a Job portal; Crowley to step down as Milwaukee County executive before year-end (spring special election) (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Budget and additional priorities: Will work through the state budget with legislative leaders during the transition; repeal the minimum markup law on gas; blue-ribbon commission on municipal revenue; lower housing, child care, health care, utility and property-tax costs (Nov. 6, 2026)
- Redistricting and Act 10: Would sign a bill redrawing congressional maps if the Legislature passes one early next year; supports reversing Act 10 but leaves details to lawmakers; says building the transition team is his biggest focus (Nov. 8, 2026)
Last updated November 12, 2026
Wyoming: Gov.-elect Eric Barlow (R)
Barlow, a Gillette rancher and veterinarian, served a decade in the Wyoming House, including as Speaker, before winning a state Senate seat in 2022. He won the Republican primary over President Trump's endorsed candidate, then defeated Democrat Kenneth Casner and Constitution Party candidate Rebecca Bextel to succeed Gov. Mark Gordon, who endorsed him. He campaigned on protecting private property rights, safeguarding public lands and keeping Washington out of Wyoming's
- Governor-elect
- Eric Barlow (R) (Republican)
- Race
- Called (R)
- Inauguration
- Jan. 4, 2027
- Transition leads named
- Yes
- Chief of staff
- Erin Taylor
- Cabinet picks
- 1
- Transition site
- governor-elect.wyo.gov (opens in a new tab)
Transition Structure
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eydie Trautwein | Transition joint lead | Most recently Wyoming deputy state auditor; attorney | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Jennifer Thomson | Transition joint lead | Campaign manager, Barlow campaign; attorney | Nov. 4, 2026 |
- Transition website / apply portal: governor-elect.wyo.gov (Work With Us resume portal); transition office in the Hathaway Building, Cheyenne (Nov. 4, 2026)
Inaugural Committee
- Inaugural committee: Wyoming 2027 Inauguration Committee runs 2027wyinauguration.com; members not named; event schedule pending (Nov. 11, 2026)
Governor's Office
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Taylor | Chief of Staff | Founder, Taylor Strategies & Consulting; former executive director, Wyoming Taxpayers Association | Nov. 10, 2026 |
| Eydie Trautwein | Chief Operating Officer | Most recently Wyoming deputy state auditor; transition joint lead | Nov. 10, 2026 |
Cabinet
| Name | Role | Background | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walter Eggers | Attorney General (nominee; Senate confirmation required) | University of Wyoming College of Law faculty; former partner, Holland & Hart | Nov. 10, 2026 |
Other Signals
- Holdovers: No Gordon agency directors announced as staying; Attorney General Keith Kautz will not continue as AG (Nov. 10, 2026)
- Handoff with Gov. Mark Gordon: Working closely with Gordon's office on the handoff; the two issued a joint statement Nov. 4 on trona mining layoffs in Sweetwater County (Nov. 4, 2026)
- Early priorities: Healthcare Strike Team to produce an action plan by Jan. 1; schools; water and irrigation; property rights; agriculture market access; housing, child care and business recruitment; regional governor's offices outside Cheyenne (Nov. 6, 2026)
Last updated November 11, 2026