In an era of deep partisan divisions, early childhood education has emerged as a rare area of bipartisan agreement among governors. With 36 states holding gubernatorial elections this year, leaders from both parties are championing investments in early education and care, aiming to overhaul the fragmented systems that have long hindered providers and families.
Governors recognize that affordable, high-quality childcare is a pressing concern for families everywhere. For children, it means a safe, enriching environment that fosters development; for parents, it enables workforce participation and economic stability. Yet millions of families still lack access to such services, with shortages, high costs, and bureaucratic hurdles persisting. This has driven state leaders to put early childhood at the forefront of their policy agendas.
Red and Blue States Leading the Charge
Across the country, governors are taking concrete steps. In Georgia, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp celebrated the state's top-ranked universal pre-K program. Democratic governors Gavin Newsom of California and Jared Polis of Colorado have backed new universal preschool initiatives, while New Mexico's Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation making her state the first to offer universal childcare.
The "Southern surge" states—Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi—have integrated early childhood into their education reform strategies, particularly for boosting early literacy. Republican governors there are ensuring that state-funded pre-K gives children a strong start, a move that aligns with broader educational goals.
Cross-Party Continuity in Virginia
Virginia exemplifies how early childhood policy can transcend partisan shifts. Democrat Ralph Northam initiated reforms in 2018, consolidating pre-K and subsidized childcare funding into one agency and improving quality measurement. Republican Glenn Youngkin continued and accelerated these efforts, increasing funding and refining provider quality metrics. Now Democrat Abigail Spanberger is maintaining the course, with the former deputy secretary of education under Youngkin stepping up as secretary of education.
This continuity has transformed Virginia from a laggard to a national leader in less than a decade, showing that early childhood can be an issue where governors of different parties avoid causing "political whiplash" for their constituents.
State Innovations and New Agencies
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, both Democrats, have appointed cabinet-level early childhood officials, with new agencies launching this July. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, championed the Arkansas LEARNS Act, a sweeping education overhaul that includes early childhood provisions.
These efforts reflect a broader trend: governors see early education as both good policy and good politics. Voters across the political spectrum support it, making it a winning message in red, blue, and purple states.
Stakes for the 2026 Elections
As the 2026 elections approach, candidates for governor have every incentive to embrace early childhood investment. States that lag behind risk leaving families without options, providers mired in red tape, and businesses struggling with a diminished workforce. Conversely, states that lead are reaping benefits in child development, parental employment, and long-term economic growth.
Elliot Regenstein, a Chicago-based partner at Foresight Law and Policy and author of "Readiness: Preparing State Early Childhood Systems for a Brighter Future," notes that the momentum is building. "Governors are realizing that early childhood is not just a social issue—it's an economic one," he said.
With voters increasingly prioritizing pragmatic solutions over ideological fights, early education offers a path forward. The next wave of governors will have a mandate to act, building on the successes of those who have paved the way.
