Ever looked at a governor and wondered, "How are they still there?" It’s a valid question. Especially when you see someone like Greg Abbott in Texas gear up for what could be a fourth term in 2026, while over in California, Gavin Newsom is legally forced to pack his bags after just two.
Basically, the answer to how many times can a governor run is a mess of 50 different rulebooks. There is no federal law here. The U.S. Constitution has nothing to say about it. Everything depends on the state's own constitution, and those documents range from "stay as long as the people keep voting for you" to "two strikes and you're out forever."
The Lifetime Ban: Two and Done
In some states, the law is brutal. If you serve two terms, you are finished. Forever. You can’t go away for a decade and come back. You can’t wait for a new generation. Your time in the governor's mansion is a closed chapter.
Take Michigan or California. In these states, the "lifetime limit" is the gold standard. Once a person has been elected twice, they are ineligible to ever hold the office again. This is why Gretchen Whitmer is currently hitting a wall in Michigan as 2026 approaches; she's term-limited. Same for Newsom.
Other states with these strict lifetime caps include:
- Oklahoma: Two terms total, and that’s it.
- Arkansas: Sarah Huckabee Sanders is in her first, but she only gets one more after this if she wins.
- Nevada: Joe Lombardo is playing by these rules too—two terms for life.
- Missouri and Delaware: These states also believe in fresh blood after eight years.
The "Take a Break" Rule (Consecutive Limits)
This is where things get kinda weird. Most states—about 28 of them—use consecutive term limits. This means a governor can serve two terms in a row (usually eight years), but then they have to step down.
But here’s the kicker: after they sit out for a term (usually four years), they can run again.
It’s like a political "time-out."
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Florida is a prime example. Ron DeSantis is term-limited in 2026. He has to leave. However, if he wanted to come back and run in 2030, the law technically allows it. We saw this play out historically with Jerry Brown in California before they tightened their laws; he served in the 70s and 80s, then came back decades later for another two rounds.
States like Ohio, Georgia, and Arizona follow this pattern. In Alabama, the constitution specifically says you can’t succeed yourself for more than one additional term. But after four years of watching someone else do the job, you’re free to jump back into the primary.
The Wild West: No Limits at All
Then you have the states that basically say, "If the voters want you, you can stay."
There are about 13 states with zero term limits. None.
In these places, the question of how many times can a governor run has a simple answer: as many times as they want.
Texas is the heavy hitter here. Greg Abbott has been in office since 2015 and shows no signs of stopping. New York and Illinois also have no limits. That’s why you see long tenures in these states that look more like the careers of U.S. Senators than typical executives.
The Two-Year Sprint
New Hampshire and Vermont are the odd ones out. They don't have term limits, but they make their governors run for reelection every two years. Most states use four-year terms. In New Hampshire, it feels like the governor is always campaigning. It's a grueling pace, but it's the ultimate form of "accountability" according to local voters.
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The Virginia Anomaly
Virginia is the only state in the entire country with a "one-term" limit.
It’s honestly fascinating. A governor in Virginia cannot serve two consecutive terms. Period. They get four years to make their mark, and then they have to leave. They can come back later—like Terry McAuliffe tried to do—but they can never serve eight years straight. This makes Virginia governors "lame ducks" the moment they are inaugurated, which creates a very specific (and often frantic) political environment.
Why 2026 is a Massive Turning Point
As we look toward the 2026 election cycle, the impact of these rules is going to be massive. We are looking at a record number of open seats because so many heavy hitters are hitting their limits at the same time.
Think about it. In Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Tennessee, the incumbents must leave. This creates a vacuum. When there’s no incumbent, the "incumbency advantage" disappears, and these races become some of the most expensive and hard-fought battles in the country.
According to the National Governors Association, about 15 states are facing "term-limited" exits in 2026. That is a lot of new faces entering the national stage all at once.
Does This Actually Help or Hurt?
People argue about this all the time.
Supporters of term limits say they prevent "career politicians" from building untouchable power bases. They argue it forces new ideas into the system.
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On the flip side, critics say term limits actually empower lobbyists and unelected staffers. The logic? If the governor and the legislature are always new, the only people who actually know how the building works are the lobbyists who have been there for 30 years.
There's also the "lame duck" problem. In a governor's final two years, their political capital often vanishes because everyone knows they are leaving. It’s hard to cut deals when you don't have a "next term" to hold over someone's head.
Summary of the Rules
To keep it simple, you can usually categorize a state's approach into four buckets:
- Absolute Lifetime Limit: 2 terms and you are banned for life (e.g., Michigan, California).
- Consecutive Limit: 2 terms in a row, then you must sit out (e.g., Florida, Arizona).
- Single Term Only: 1 term at a time, no immediate reelection (Virginia).
- No Limits: Run until you lose or retire (e.g., Texas, New York, Idaho).
What You Should Do Next
If you're wondering about your specific state, don't just look at the current governor's popularity. Look at your state's constitution. Many people are surprised to find out their "favorite" governor is actually legally barred from running again in the next cycle.
Check your local Secretary of State website for the filing deadlines. If you live in a state like Georgia or Florida, 2026 is going to be a "wildcard" year with no incumbent. That means your vote carries significantly more weight than usual because there is no established frontrunner with a four-year head start. Keep an eye on the primary dates—that's where the real power shift usually happens in term-limited states.
Actionable Insight: If you live in one of the 15 states with a term-limited governor in 2026, start researching lieutenant governors and attorneys general now. These are the people most likely to jump into the open race, and their current voting records are the best predictor of how they'll lead your state.