State Government

State minimum wage

21 public statements from 2026 candidates

§1The range of views

Why this matters: It decides the lowest pay allowed for entry-level and hourly jobs in your state, which affects what workers take home and what employers spend on wages.

Drafted by AI, then checked for neutral wording in a separate AI review. It describes the question and the main positions, not any candidate's view. Facts link to their sources.

The lowest hourly wage employers can pay in a state, which states can set above the $7.25 federal minimum, as most states do.1

  1. Raise it and increase it automatically each year with inflation
  2. Raise it in set steps, without automatic yearly increases
  3. Keep the current minimum wage rules
  4. End automatic yearly increases, or bar cities and counties from setting higher minimums

These options describe policies, not people. The order is not a ranking.

§2What candidates have said

Why this matters: Statements candidates made publicly, summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Candidates who haven't spoken publicly on this issue aren't listed.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Raise it and increase it automatically each year with inflation (2)

  • Adrian Boafo MD-5
    His campaign website lists in his track record a three-year push to raise Maryland's minimum wage and link future raises to inflation.2
  • Deb Haaland NM Governor
    Her campaign website says she would raise the state minimum wage to a living wage and adjust it with inflation over time rather than as a one-time increase.3,4

Statements that don't match one option (19)

  • Doug Jones AL Governor
    His campaign website says he would raise wages, including the minimum wage.5
  • Dean Ocean Abrams FL Governor
    His campaign website says future increases in Florida's $15 minimum wage should be tied to the state's own cost of living, and that local governments should be allowed to set their own wage floors.6
  • Josh Turek IA Senate
    His campaign website says that in the Iowa House he sponsored bills to raise the minimum wage.7
  • Rob Sand IA Governor
    His campaign website says he supports raising Iowa's minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 an hour.8
  • La Shawn K. Ford IL-7
    His campaign website says that as a state legislator he fought for and voted to pass Illinois's minimum wage increase into law.9
  • Juliana Stratton IL Senate
    Her campaign website says that as lieutenant governor she worked with Governor Pritzker to raise the minimum wage.10,11
  • JB Pritzker IL Governor
    His campaign website lists raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour among his accomplishments, and his official biography says he raised it to a living wage.12,13
  • Cindy Holscher KS Governor
    Her campaign website says she would raise the state minimum wage to $16 an hour, and higher in high-cost cities and counties.14
  • Andrea James MA Governor
    Her campaign website says she would raise the minimum wage and lists a $25 living wage among her goals.15,16
  • Wes Moore MD Governor
    His campaign website says he raised the state minimum wage to $15 an hour in his first 100 days as governor.17
  • John "Johnny O" Olszewski, Jr. MD-2
    His campaign website lists among his accomplishments in the Maryland House of Delegates helping pass an increase to the minimum wage.18
  • Analilia Mejia NJ-11
    Her campaign website lists helping lead New Jersey's campaign for a $15 minimum wage, which it says succeeded, among her accomplishments.19,20
  • Cyndi Munson OK Governor
    Her campaign website says raising the minimum wage would be a top priority as governor, and that she has repeatedly written legislation to raise it.21
  • Tina Kotek OR Governor
    Her campaign website says that while she was House speaker, Oregon raised the minimum wage.22,23
  • Jermaine Johnson SC Governor
    His campaign website says he would create a labor advisory council to recommend a state minimum wage, remove barriers to employment and fight wage theft.24
  • Jerri Green TN Governor
    Her platform calls for a real living wage.25
  • Dave Seeman TN Governor
    His campaign website calls for a livable minimum wage.26
  • June Goodband VT Governor
    Her campaign website says profitable businesses should be required to pay a living wage so their workers do not need state assistance.27
  • Dean Roy VT Governor
    His campaign website says he supports gradually raising the minimum wage.28