Four years ago, eight Democratic women won governorships in a single election, a milestone that reshaped the map.

This November, Democrats aim to elect even more -- including in red states -- and to push the number of Democratic women in the U.S. House past 100. Candidates and organizations on the left told ABC News both milestones are plausible, but they rest on winning the most competitive races.

Key gubernatorial races

Twenty-six women are major-party nominees overall, one more than the 2022 record of 25. There are 19 Democratic women gubernatorial nominees, a record that's up from 16 in 2022. Republicans have seven women nominees in governor's races, down from nine in 2022.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks at a midterm election rally in Atlanta, on Oct. 17, 2026. | Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton speaks during a campaign rally on Oct. 24, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.…