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Control of the governor's office and state legislature helps determine which healthcare priorities become law, from Medicaid funding and provider payments to insurance requirements and oversight of hospital mergers. Unified party control can make it easier to enact those changes, while divided government can require compromise or leave proposals stalled.

Partisan trifectas, where one party controls the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature, give the party greater ability to advance its legislative agenda. But several closely divided legislatures and competitive gubernatorial races this year could create new trifectas or preserve divided governments.

Here are five states where the results of this year's election could have significant implications for control of state government.

1. Arizona

Senate: 17 R, 13 D

House: 33 R, 27 D

Governor: Katie Hobbs (D)

Arizona remains one of the most competitive states for control of state government. Republicans currently control both chambers of the legislature while Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is seeking reelection against Republican Rep. Andy Biggs.

Both legislative chambers are considered competitive this year, meaning either party has a path to unified control of state government. Republicans could establish a trifecta by maintaining their legislative majorities and defeating Hobbs, while Democrats could establish their own trifecta by reelecting Hobbs and flipping both chambers.

Recent polling in the governor's race has Hobbs ahead by double-digit points, suggesting Democrats are at least likely to maintain the governorship.

2. Michigan

Senate: 18 R, 20 D

House: 58 R, 52 D

Governor: Gretchen Whitmer (D)

Michigan is another state where control of virtually every part of state government is in play. Republicans currently control the House while Democrats control the Senate and the governor's office. However, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, leaving an open gubernatorial race between Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James.

Both legislative majorities are thin, and both chambers are considered competitive. In addition, recent polling suggests the governor's race is also close, with Benson generally ahead, though in many polls by fewer than 10 points.

All of this creates the possibility that either party could leave the election with a partisan trifecta, or Michigan could maintain a divided government.

3. Minnesota

Senate: 33 R, 34 D

House: 66 R, 67 D, 1 vacancy

Governor: Tim Walz (D)

4. Pennsylvania

Senate: 27 R, 23 D

House: 100 R, 103 D

Governor: Josh Shapiro (D)

Pennsylvania currently has one of the few divided state legislatures in the United States, with Republicans controlling the Senate and Democrats controlling the House, both by very narrow margins.

Both the state Senate and House are likely to be toss-ups, meaning there's a possibility of a Democratic trifecta in Pennsylvania given Gov. Josh Shapiro is not up for reelection until 2027. However, there's also the possibility that Shapiro is working with a divided or Republican state legislature.

5. Wisconsin

Senate: 18 R, 15 D

State Assembly: 54 R, 45 D

Governor: Tony Evers (D)

Wisconsin could see significant changes to both its legislative and executive branches this year. Currently, Republicans control both legislative chambers, however the State Assembly could flip party control. Only 17 of the Senate's 33 seats are up for election in 2026, making it unlikely partisan control changes there.

The governor's race is also highly competitive. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is not seeking another term, leaving a gubernatorial race between Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany. Polling shows the governor's race as a toss-up, with a small lead for Crowley in recent polls — however, that lead is within polls' margin of error.

A Republican or Democratic trifecta is entirely possible in Wisconsin, given how close majorities are in the state legislature and how close the gubernatorial race will likely be.

Honorable mention: Nevada

Senate: 8 R, 13 D

State Assembly: 15 R, 27 D

Governor: Joe Lombardo (R)

Unlike the state's mentioned above, Nevada's legislative chambers aren't as closely divided, with Democrats currently holding majorities in both the Senate and State Assembly. And while the entire State Assembly is up for election in 2026, Democrats' majority only dropped by one in 2024, meaning Democrats are likely to maintain their majority in the Nevada Assembly. Meanwhile, only 11 of the state Senate's 21 seats are up for election in 2026.

However, the state's closely contested gubernatorial race could significantly change control of state government. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is seeking reelection against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford, and recent polling shows the race is essentially tied.

If Democrats maintain their legislative majorities and Ford wins the governor's race, they would gain a governing trifecta.