In 30 of the States Implementing Medicaid Work Requirements, Governors Are on the Ballot in November
The majority of states subject to new Medicaid work requirements will hold gubernatorial elections this November. Leadership transitions—especially those that shift political party—could complicate states’ efforts to implement work requirements. New administrations often bring in new policy priorities, new agency staff, and different implementation approaches. Among the 44 states required to implement Medicaid work requirements, 30 states have gubernatorial elections, and the District of Columbia has a mayoral election in November. Of these states, 13 have Republican governors and 17 states have Democratic governors, and DC has a Democratic mayor. In 13 states and DC, the incumbent is not running: seven states with Democratic governors (California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Wisconsin), six states with Republican governors (Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee), and DC with a Democratic mayor. Six other states (Alabama, Florida, Kansas, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming) will also have gubernatorial elections and could be implementing other federal changes during leadership transitions.