1988 United States gubernatorial elections
United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 8, 1988 in 12 states and two territories. Going into the elections, eight seats were held by Republicans, and four by Democrats. After the elections, the Democrats had a net gain of one seat. The elections coincided with the United States House elections, United States Senate elections and presidential election. As of 2020, this is the last time that a Republican was elected Delaware governor and the last time a Democrat was elected North Dakota governor.
Election results
| State | Incumbent | Party | Status | Opposing candidates |
| Delaware | Mike Castle | Republican | Re-elected, 70.7% | Jacob Kreshtool 29.3% |
| Indiana | Robert D. Orr | Republican | Term-limited, Democratic victory | Evan Bayh 53.2% John Mutz 46.8% |
| Missouri | John Ashcroft | Republican | Re-elected, 64.2% | Betty Cooper Hearnes 34.8% Mike Roberts 1.0% |
| Montana | Ted Schwinden | Democratic | Term-limited, Republican victory | Stan Stephens 51.9% Thomas Lee Judge 46.1% |
| New Hampshire | John H. Sununu | Republican | Retired, Republican victory | Judd Gregg 60.4% Paul McEachern 39.0% |
| North Carolina | James G. Martin | Republican | Re-elected, 56.1% | Robert B. Jordan 43.9% |
| North Dakota | George A. Sinner | Democratic | Re-elected, 59.9% | Leon L. Mallberg 40.1% |
| Rhode Island | Edward D. DiPrete | Republican | Re-elected, 50.8% | Bruce Sundlun 49.2% |
| Utah | Norman H. Bangerter | Republican | Re-elected, 40.1% | Ted Wilson 38.4% Merrill Cook 21.1% Kitty K. Burton 0.3% Arly H. Pedersen 0.2% |
| Vermont | Madeleine Kunin | Democratic | Re-elected, 55.3% | Michael Bernhardt 43.3% Richard Gottlieb 1.2% |
| Washington | Booth Gardner | Democratic | Re-elected, 62.2% | Robert Williams 37.8% |
| West Virginia | Arch A. Moore Jr. | Republican | Defeated, 41.1% | Gaston Caperton 58.9% |