2025 Kostroma Oblast gubernatorial election

The 2025 Kostroma Oblast gubernatorial election will take place on 12–14 September 2025, on common election day, coinciding with 2025 Kostroma Oblast legislative election. Incumbent Governor of Kostroma Oblast Sergey Sitnikov is running for a fourth term in office.

Then-Roskomnadzor head Sergey Sitnikov was appointed acting Governor of Kostroma Oblast in April 2012, replacing highly unpopular first-term incumbent Igor Slyunyayev.^[1] Sitnikov was unanimously confirmed as Governor of Kostroma Oblast by Kostroma Oblast Duma two weeks later.^[2] Sitnikov triggered an early gubernatorial election in 2015 and ran for a second term as United Russia candidate despite being officially an Independent. Governor Sitnikov won the election with 65.62% of the vote.^[3] In 2020 Sitnikov ran for a third term as United Russia candidate and won re-election with 64.65% of the vote.^[4]

Initially Governor of Kostroma Oblast was limited for just two consecutive terms so Sitnikov would have been term-limited in 2025 (his 2012–2015 term was reseted). However, in December 2021 "On Common Principles of Organisation of Public Authority in the Subjects of the Russian Federation" law was enacted, which lifted term limits for Russian governors.^[5] Kostroma Oblast followed suit and lifted the restrictions, which allowed Sitnikov to seek another term in 2025.

Sitnikov was viewed as a potential candidate for replacement as governor prior to the 2025 election.^[6] Several reasons were named for Sitnikov's potential resignation, including his long tenure in office, lack of significant achievements and low support from federal elites.^[7][8] Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Vladislav Davankov was viewed as potential replacement for Sitnikov, however, reports in February 2025 stated that Sitnikov is likely to seek a fourth term in office due to lack of major failures of his administration.^[9]

In March 2025 during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin Governor Sitnikov announced his intention to run for a fourth term and received Putin's endorsement.^[10]

In Kostroma Oblast candidates for Governor of Kostroma Oblast can be nominated only by registered political parties. Candidate for Governor of Kostroma Oblast should be a Russian citizen and at least 30 years old. Candidates for Governor of Kostroma Oblast should not have a foreign citizenship or residence permit. Each candidate in order to be registered is required to collect at least 8% of signatures of members and heads of municipalities.^[11] Also gubernatorial candidates present 3 candidacies to the Federation Council and election winner later appoints one of the presented candidates.

• Ruslan Fedorov (LDPR), Member of Kostroma Oblast Duma (2020–present), 2020 gubernatorial candidate^[18]
• Valery Gromov (RPPSS), pensioner^[19]
• Valery Izhitsky (CPRF), former Member of Kostroma Oblast Duma (1994–2020), former Chairman of the Oblast Duma (2000–2005), 2015 and 2020 gubernatorial candidate^[18][20]
• Aleksandr Lazutin (Yabloko), former Member of Kostroma Oblast Duma (2005–2010), farmer, 2020 gubernatorial candidate^[19]
• Vladimir Mikhaylov (PSZ), Member of Kostroma Oblast Duma (2004–present), leader of Party of Social Justice (2019–present), 2018 Independent presidential candidate, 2024 presidential candidate^[19]
• Yelena Poteshkina (New People), Member of Kostroma Oblast Duma (2020–present)^[18]
• Yury Shestakov (RPPSS), Member of Kostroma Oblast Duma (2023–present)^[19]

• 2025 Russian regional elections