Democratic candidates for governor across the United States are centering their 2026 campaigns around opposition to President Donald Trump's tariff policies, following a recent Supreme Court decision that struck down the global levies.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, seeking reelection, has made tariffs a "centerpiece" of her message and is pressing the administration for a $13.5 billion tariff refund to New Yorkers. She released an advertisement criticizing Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman for supporting the tariffs and attending the White House announcement event. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, leading the Democratic Governors Association, said Trump's tariff announcement photo "is going to be front and center in every single one of our campaigns."

Several Democratic candidates in competitive states are emphasizing the economic impact of tariffs. In Nevada, state Attorney General Aaron Ford, running for governor, has sued the administration over tariffs and blamed them for restaurant closures and reduced tourism. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, seeking reelection in a state Trump won by over 5 percentage points in 2024, criticized Republican representatives for supporting the policies.

Republican candidates are defending the tariff policies and attempting to shift focus to other economic issues. New York's Blakeman said Hochul is "solely responsible for the affordability crisis in New York," citing high taxes and insurance rates. Arizona Representative David Schweikert argued that Democrats previously supported tariffs under different administrations. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo said in a television interview that the state may need to "feel a little pain in the short term" for long-term benefits.

The Trump administration is working to revive tariffs through alternative mechanisms after the Supreme Court ruling. Trump has announced a 10% tariff using different authority, though this faces legal challenges, and seeks to raise rates to 15%. Manufacturing job losses of 98,000 during Trump's first year in office have complicated Republican arguments about the policies' benefits.

Polling indicates public concern about the tariff implementation, with an AP-NORC poll in January showing about 60% of adults believed Trump went too far in imposing new tariffs. The 2026 midterm elections present challenges for Republicans defending governorships in Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin, while Democrats eye potential gains in Nevada, Georgia, and Iowa.