“Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), a once-rising star whose career was derailed in a bizarre personal scandal, is quietly discussing a potential comeback bid in 2026,” Pluribus News reports.
“Four sources with knowledge of Sanford’s conversations say he has been speaking with potential donors about a bid to replace Gov. Henry McMaster (R), who faces term limits.”
“Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D) is preparing to enter the Democratic primary for an open U.S. Senate seat in the state,” the AP reports.
“First elected to the state Legislature in 2018, McMorrow’s profile surged after her viral 2022 speech on the floor of the Michigan Senate, hailed as a model for countering Republican attacks.”
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is “very seriously focused” on a potential bid for U.S. Senate after ruling out a run for Michigan governor, the Detroit News reports.
“Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee last year for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan who was backed by President Donald Trump, said Thursday that he is ‘strongly considering’ running again in 2026,” the Washington Post reports.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), who can’t seek reelection as governor in 2026 because of term limits, will not run for U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), the Detroit Free Press reports.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (D) is “taking a serious look” at running for the Michigan senate seat left open by the surprise retirement of Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), Axios reports.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) told the Detroit News that “he won’t seek reelection next year and will retire from the U.S. Senate when his second term ends in January 2027.”
“Peters’ decision is likely to surprise many of his colleagues and ignite an intense scramble on both sides of the aisle for his seat in battleground Michigan.”
“Early surveys show former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) leading Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) in the race to replace Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), in what is likely to be the marquee gubernatorial matchup of this year’s off-year elections,” Pluribus News reports.
“Vivek Ramaswamy has landed Vice President J.D. Vance’s top political advisers to guide his soon-to-launch bid for governor in Ohio,” NBC News reports.
“The hirings followed conversations between Vance and Ramaswamy over the last two weeks, said this person, who was granted anonymity to share details of private discussions.”
“Martin Heinrich was pretty close to running for governor of New Mexico. In the end, though, staying in the Senate won out,” Semafor reports.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) told the Atlanta Journal Constitution she is considering a run to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp, who cannot seek a third term in office.
“House Republicans in competitive districts warned GOP leaders Thursday: We could lose our seats if you gut Obamacare to pay for a massive border, energy and tax bill,” Politico reports.
“GOP members are already concerned that they’re poised to lose their trifecta and a swath of seats in the 2026 midterms — they worry GOP efforts to pare back the Affordable Care Act could pour fuel on the fire.”
Punchbowl News: “Nearly 20 lawmakers are taking active steps or exploring a bid for governor in their home states, according to interviews with over a dozen sources. Even though Republicans have unified control of Washington, the prospect of leading an entire state — and being a more direct governing partner to President Donald Trump during his second term — can be more appealing than serving in Congress.”
“That’s especially true if you’re just one of 435 members of the House.”
“There are 10 states where Republican governors are term-limited in 2026, paving the wave for open races.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) would the “clear frontrunner” in the 2026 GOP primary for governor if she decided to run, Donald Trump’s longtime pollster tells Axios.
“The fact that Tony Fabrizio is polling for Blackburn indicates that she’s seriously thinking about leaving the U.S. Senate next year in a bid for the governor’s mansion in Nashville.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) “is exploring a run for Arizona governor in 2026, setting up a potential battle on the right to lead one of the nation’s most consequential swing states,” Roll Call reports.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said that she is “seriously considering” a gubernatorial run in 2026 and will make a final decision in the coming weeks, the AP reports.
Mace said that she plans to ask for support from President Trump, who has maintained popularity in the state since his 2016 primary win there helped cement his status as the GOP presidential nominee.
Vivek Ramaswamy will announce a bid for Ohio governor “shortly,” USA Today reports.
“With Donald Trump’s expected support, Ramaswamy could have an edge in a GOP primary.”
“Vivek Ramaswamy would consider an appointment to replace JD Vance in the Senate if it was offered — but is setting himself up for a gubernatorial run in Ohio and vastly prefers seeking that office,” Semafor reports.
Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.
Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.
Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.
Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.
Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.
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