2026 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Crime

Andy Beshear: Prevent crime by ensuring inmates don't violate again

Making our communities safer is about more than just arresting criminals. It's about preventing crimes altogether. When a crime doesn't occur, there is no victim, no family left grieving. One way we prevent crime is working with our inmates to ensure that once released, they do not violate again. Last year, we did that, securing another record low recidivism rate. A good part of that is thanks to our efforts to provide second chances and real job opportunities. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature Jan 7, 2026

Kay Ivey: Impose death penalty for those who rape or sodomize a child

Last year, public safety was my number one priority. Together, we accomplished a great deal through my Safe Alabama package, but our work is never done when it comes to protecting our citizens. Representative Matt Simpson and Senator April Weaver will carry a bill to impose the death penalty for those who rape or sodomize a child. I was proud to quickly offer my full and total support. Ladies and gentlemen, I am urging you to pass this legislation so I can sign it into law. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature Jan 13, 2026

Brian Kemp: Don't demonize law enforcement, let them do their jobs

With the combined resources and personnel of multiple state public safety agencies partnering with local law enforcement, the CSU has found and arrested 1,340 wanted persons, helped to take dangerous drugs off our streets by arresting 557 traffickers and carriers, recovered 1,179 stolen vehicles, and apprehended 49 murder suspects. Here's a news flash to those who try to demonize law enforcement: this is what happens when you let them simply do their jobs! Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature Jan 15, 2026

Glenn Youngkin: Charge felony manslaughter for fentanyl-related deaths

Suzanne and I have met, prayed, and cried with families who have buried a child, a spouse, a sister or brother, or a parent because of this evil. And so we came together and launched a comprehensive fight against fentanyl. A fight we've taken to the frontlines by enhancing penalties and creating tougher new laws. Now drug dealers are on notice: if you push this poison and kill someone in the process, you will be held accountable, and you will be charged with felony manslaughter. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature Jan 14, 2026

Larry Rhoden: Proud to accept faith-based Prison Seminary Model

The Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force is hard at work. They've already recommended the Prison Seminary Model, and I was proud to accept that recommendation. This faith-based program will restore hope, build character, and strengthen our correctional system from the inside out. The task force has also advanced other recommendations, including tribal-focused rehabilitation opportunities. Thank you to the legislators on that task force--keep up the good work! Source: 2026 State of the State Address to South Dakota legislature Jan 13, 2026

Mike Braun: Amend state constitution to allow for preventive detention

Last year, we increased penalties on repeat violent criminals and drug dealers. We have to make sure that when the most violent criminals are arrested, they aren't just turned back out on the streets. That's why I support bills by Senator Eric Koch and Senator Aaron Freeman to amend our constitution to allow for preventive detention. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Indiana legislature Jan 14, 2026

Mike Kehoe: Must pass legislation regarding the use of drones

I urge the General Assembly to continue modernizing the tools available to law enforcement. As incidents at home and abroad have demonstrated, drones can be purchased by anyone, anywhere, and can be equipped with explosives, contraband, and any manner of weaponry. The General Assembly must pass legislation, with an emergency clause, regarding the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and law enforcement action. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Missouri legislature Jan 13, 2026

Ron DeSantis: We've enacted the death penalty for pedophiles

Our law enforcement personnel deserve our support--and they have received it. We have blocked jailbreak policies and ensured that our state and local law enforcement officers get the backing that they need. We've enacted the death penalty for pedophiles and treated the fentanyl dealers that have poisoned our people as the murderers that they are. We rejected the movement to defund the police, refuse to kowtow to rioting and looting, and have the strongest laws against retail theft in the nation. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature Jan 13, 2026

Jeff Landry: Judges are not social workers with gavels

Judges hold enormous power. They are not social workers with gavels. They are the final gatekeepers of public safety. And when judges treat ankle monitoring like a suggestion, let contracts lapse, and ignore check-ins, they are not "mistaken"--they are incompetent. And incompetence has no place on the bench. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature Mar 9, 2026

Kelly Ayotte: Double suspension for refusing to take breath alcohol test

One of their top recommendations is to tackle the culture of impaired drivers refusing to submit to a breath alcohol test. Which is why I am calling on the House and Senate to double the administrative license suspension, from six months to one year, for drivers refusing to take a breath alcohol test. We will keep working together to address the dangers of impaired driving, distracted driving, wrong-way driving, and other issues that put Granite Staters at risk. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the N.H. legislature Feb 5, 2026

Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Ensure the most violent criminals serve their full sentence

From the Protect Act to Death by Delivery to the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act, we have fought to give law enforcement the tools they need to do their job and protect Arkansans. We put a law and order and rehabilitation focused majority on the Board of Corrections, ensured the most violent criminals serve their full sentence, opened 1,500 new beds at existing prison facilities, and created a recidivism pilot program to get inmates back in the workforce and kept off the streets. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature Apr 8, 2026

Tony Evers: Legislature should codify the Office of Violence Prevention

Yet, on top of voting not to make the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention permanent last year, Republican lawmakers also voted against my request to provide $66 million for Victims of Crime Act programs, many of which help survivors of domestic violence and their families get back on their feet. I urge the Legislature to send bills to my desk to codify the Office of Violence Prevention and fund Victims of Crime Act programs. Do the right thing and get this done. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Wisconsin legislature Feb 17, 2026

The above quotations are from 2026 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for definitions & background information on Crime. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by Gavin Newson on Crime. Click here for more quotes by Kay Ivey on Crime.
*Gubernatorial candidates on Crime:*
*Gubernatorial races in 2026:* AK: Mike Dunleavy(R,term-limited) AL: Kay Ivey(R,term-limited) AR: Sarah Huckabee Sanders(R,for re-election) AZ: Katie Hobbs(D,for re-election) CA: Gavin Newsom(D,term-limited) CO: Jared Polis(D,term-limited) CT: Ned Lamont(D,for re-election) FL: Ron DeSantis(R,term-limited) GA: Brian Kemp(R,term-limited) HI: Josh Green(D,for re-election) IA: Kim Reynolds(R,retiring) ID: Brad Little(R,for re-election) IL: J.B. Pritzker(D,for re-election) KS: Laura Kelly(D,term-limited) MA: Maura Healey(D,for re-election) MD: Wes Moore(D,for re-election) ME: Janet Mills(D,term-limited)	*2026 gubernatorial races continued...* MI: Gretchen Whitmer(D,term-limited) MN: Tim Walz(D,retiring) NE: Jim Pillen(R,for re-election) NH: Kelly Ayotte(R,for re-election) NM: Michelle Lujan-Grisham(D,term-limited) NV: Joe Lombardo(R) NY: Kathy Hochul(D,for re-election) OH: Mike DeWine(R,term-limited) OK: Kevin Stitt(R,term-limited) OR: Tina Kotek(D,for re-election) PA: Josh Shapiro(D,for re-election) RI: Dan McKee(D,for re-election) SC: Henry McMaster(R,term-limited) SD: Larry Rhoden(R,for re-election) TN: Bill Lee(R,term-limited) TX: Greg Abbott(R,for re-election) VT: Phil Scott(R,for re-election) WI: Tony Evers(D,retiring) WY: Mark Gordon(R,term-limited)
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Page last updated: Oct 18, 2026