Republicans have chance to secure governorships in key battleground states next year

Elise Stefanik drops out of NY governor's race, won't seek re-election in Congress Fox News host Will Cain has the latest on Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., dropping out of the governor’s race and re-election for her seat in Congress on ‘The Will Cain Show.’ While next year's midterms will determine whether Republicans can keep control of Congress after winning big in 2024, there are also a slate of gubernatorial elections, several that are toss-ups, which could have equally wide-ranging impacts. Three states with Democratic Party governors, Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin, are currently listed as "toss up" races across multiple high-profile election polling groups, such as The Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball. Meanwhile, Republicans will have to defend the governorship in Georgia and Nevada, two other races considered a "toss up" by some, while others are giving Republicans a slight advantage. For example, Nevada and Georgia are considered a "toss up" in The Cook Political Report's latest polling that came out Dec. 20, but they are listed as "lean Republican" by Sabato's Crystal Ball. "Whether it's Aaron Ford vacationing instead of doing his job in Nevada, Katie Hobbs tanking Arizona's economy, or Jocelyn Benson letting non-residents vote in Michigan, Democrats are not sending their best to gubernatorial races next year," Regional Communications Director Delanie Bomar told Fox News Digital. "Republicans have a track record of winning these states and we will do so again next year." TIM SCOTT TELLS MAGA VOTERS TRUMP ‘IS ON THE BALLOT’ AS GOP FIGHTS TO GROW SENATE MAJORITY IN 2026 In Arizona, Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs will have to maintain her seat against long-time House Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and David Schweikert, R-Ariz., as well as attorney Karrin Taylor Robson, who lost to Kari Lake in the GOP primary for governor in 2022. Governor Katie Hobbs, D-Ariz. is aiming to keep her office in what is expected to be a tough reelection bid. (Mario Tama/Getty Images/Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons) In 2024, Hobbs was investigated for involvement in an alleged "pay-for-play" scheme after a report revealed a group home business that looks after vulnerable children was approved for a rate hike after it donated big to her inauguration and the Arizona Democratic Party. However, Hobbs has pushed back against the allegations, arguing she was not personally involved in the rate decision. The controversy is still under criminal investigation by both the Arizona attorney general and the Maricopa County attorney, and the Arizona House also launched its own inquiry last month into the matter. Hobbs, who has had a lengthy political career dating back to 2010, has been criticized for how she treats her staff and who she hires, but also has a history of being able to rake in campaign funds and run successful elections. In Michigan, Democratic Party Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be term-limited out. Her secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, is among the front-runners to take over Whitmer's seat. Earlier this year, Fox News Digital reported about Benson's attendance at a "unity"...

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