Incumbent Governor of Kostroma Oblast Sergey Sitnikov is eligible to run 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.

[2] Sitnikov triggered an early gubernatorial election in 2015 and ran for a second term as United Russia candidate despite being officially an Independent.

[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.