Republicans know that voters are going to reject their toxic efforts to rip away health care and food assistance from millions of Americans. That’s why they’re trying to rig the 2026 election by redrawing Texas’ congressional maps — and likely those of a few other states — before a single vote has even been cast.
While Democrats are working to lower costs and improve the lives of hardworking Americans, Republicans are laser focused on doing the bidding of Donald Trump. There’s no doubt about it: We’re living in a scary moment for our democracy.
However, Democrats are fighting back. At the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), we know one of the best ways to stop Republicans’ power grab and protect our democracy is to elect Democratic governors.
Democratic governors are on the frontlines of the redistricting fight. They have the power to veto rigged maps, pass fair ones and go on offense to counter Republican extremism in places like Texas. They’re also key to winning back a Democratic majority in Congress and delivering on the issues that Americans care about most.
There’s no doubt about it: We’re living in a scary moment for our democracy.
There are 38 governor’s races over the next two years. Of those, 24 governors will have the ability to veto congressional maps — making up the majority of House seats.
Governors also have the power to appoint judges in nearly every state, who often have a decisive role in the drawing and implementation of congressional maps.
And in states with Republican gerrymanders that have a governor’s race this cycle, passing independent, fair maps can net Democrats as many as 19 seats.
Put simply, electing Democratic governors means fairer, more equal representation.
The DGA has been working on this issue for over a decade. In 2015, we launched “Unrig the Map,” a zero-overhead fund dedicated to winning races in states where governors have direct impact over the redistricting process.
In 2018, we invested $20 million in Unrig the Map target states, the largest electoral investment in redistricting states in Democratic history at the time. And it paid off: Democrats won seven of the 10 gubernatorial races we targeted ahead of the 2021 redistricting process, helping secure fair maps and protect voting rights.
For example, in battleground Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer oversaw the creation of an independent redistricting commission that helped ensure fair elections. In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers passed fair legislative maps last year, undoing more than a decade of gerrymandering.
While fair, representative maps are the goal, we also know that these aren’t normal times and Republicans aren’t playing by normal rules. If Donald Trump and Texas Republicans’ power grab goes unchecked, they could lock in a MAGA majority in Congress for years to come.
That’s why Democratic governors are stepping up and fighting back.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker stepped up to help Texas Democrats who fled the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a special election to redraw California’s Congressional maps and defend fair representation. Gov. Kathy Hochul is working with her legislature to explore all options available for the people of New York.
As DGA chair and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly put it recently: “I have never believed in unilateral disarmament.”
While our governors may be better known for their work upgrading public schools, expanding Medicaid or bringing down the cost of living, their role in overseeing the creation and implementation of congressional maps is also key to improving the lives of hardworking families across the country.
That’s why Democratic governors are stepping up and fighting back.
As we continue to defend democracy from Republican attacks, it’s easy to feel helpless. But there are ways to make a difference. We can campaign for Democratic governors, encourage our friends and family to get involved and speak out for candidates and causes we believe in.
Republicans are scared, and they’re trying to rig the system because they can’t defend their harmful and unpopular agenda. Electing Democratic governors is one of the best ways we can fight back.
Meghan Meehan-Draper is Executive Director of the Democratic Governors Association. She has served on senior leadership teams electing governors and Democrats throughout the country at nearly every level of the ballot, including in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Louisiana, and Florida.