Overview

• Johnson announced Monday he will forgo reelection to his at-large U.S. House seat and formally entered the 2026 governor’s race.
• He framed his campaign around conservative goals including tightening the southern border, cutting wasteful spending, countering the Chinese Communist Party, and boosting education and job growth.
• State Rep. Jon Hansen has already declared for the GOP primary and Gov. Larry Rhoden remains undecided on a gubernatorial challenge.
• Attorney General Marty Jackley is weighing a bid for the open congressional seat, which the Cook Political Report rates as solidly Republican.
• As chairman of the House Main Street Caucus, Johnson joins a wave of Republican lawmakers trading federal posts for state executive contests.