2026 Ohio gubernatorial election
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The 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Ohio. Incumbent Republican governor Mike DeWine is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third consecutive term. The winner of the election will be inaugurated on January 11, 2027.[1]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Heather Hill, former president of the Morgan County School Board[2]
- Vivek Ramaswamy, former CEO of Roivant Sciences (2014–2021) and candidate for president in 2024[3]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Jim Tressel, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (2025–present)[4][5]
Potential
[edit]- Mike Carey, U.S. representative from Ohio’s 15th congressional district (2021–present)[6]
Withdrawn
[edit]- Matt Mayer, former director of the Buckeye Institute[7]
- Robert Sprague, Ohio state treasurer (2019–present) (endorsed Ramaswamy, running for secretary of state)[8]
- Dave Yost, Ohio attorney general (2019–present) and former Ohio state auditor (2011–2019)[9][failed verification]
Declined
[edit]- Warren Davidson, U.S. representative from Ohio’s 8th congressional district (2016–present) (endorsed Ramaswamy)[10]
- Jon Husted, U.S. senator (2025–present) and candidate for governor in 2018[11] (running for U.S. Senate)[12]
- Frank LaRose, Ohio secretary of state (2019–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 (running for state auditor,[13] endorsed Ramaswamy)[14]
Endorsements
[edit]Vivek Ramaswamy
- Presidents of the United States
- Donald Trump, 45th & 47th President of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[15]
- U.S. senators
- Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee (2019–present)[16]
- Mike Lee, Utah (2011–present)[16]
- Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming (2021–present)[17]
- Bernie Moreno, Ohio (2025–present)[18]
- Rick Scott, Florida (2019–present)[16]
- U.S. representatives
- Warren Davidson, OH-08 (2016–present)[19]
- Jim Jordan, OH-04 (2007–present)[20]
- Michael Rulli, OH-06 (2024–present)[20]
- David Taylor, OH-02 (2025–present)[21]
- Statewide officials
- Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State (2019–present)[14]
- Robert Sprague, Ohio State Treasurer (2019–present)[8]
- State legislators
- 15 state senators[22]
- Adam Mathews, state representative from the 56th district (2023–present)[21]
- Local officials
- Party officials
- Alex Triantafilou, chair of the Ohio Republican Party[24]
- Individuals
- Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue[25]
- Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA[26]
- Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX[15]
- Jake Paul, professional boxer and YouTuber[27]
- Donald Trump Jr., businessman and son of president Donald Trump[26]
- Political parties
- Organizations
Dave Yost (withdrawn)
- Statewide officials
- Ken Blackwell, former Ohio secretary of state (1999–2007)[30]
- Local officials
- 30 county sheriffs[23]
Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Heather Hill |
Vivek Ramaswamy |
Dave Yost |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yost withdraws his candidacy | ||||||||
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[31][32] | April 18–24, 2025 | 359 (RV) | – | 4% | 64% | 13% | 19%[b] | – |
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[33] | April 6–10, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 1% | 71% | 10% | 11%[c] | 8% |
| – | 75% | 19% | – | 6% | ||||
| – | 77% | – | 17%[d] | 6% | ||||
| Ramaswamy declares his candidacy | ||||||||
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[34] | February 14–21, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 9% | 61% | 24% | – | 9% |
| National Public Affairs (R)[35][A] | February 2–5, 2025 | 602 (RV) | ± 4.0% | – | 46% | 18% | 2%[e] | 34% |
| WPA Intelligence (R)[36][B] | January 28–30, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | – | 57% | 26% | 6%[f] | 10% |
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[37][C] | January 26–27, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | – | 52% | 18% | 3%[g] | 27% |
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Amy Acton, former director of the Ohio Department of Health (2019–2020)[38]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Sherrod Brown, former U.S. Senator (2007–2025)[39]
- Chris Redfern, former state representative (1999–2002, 2003–2008, 2013–2014) and former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party (2005–2014)[40]
- Tim Ryan, former U.S. representative (2003–2023), nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022, and candidate for president in 2020[41] (decision expected in summer 2025)[42]
Potential
[edit]- Allison Russo, Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives (2022–present) and nominee for Ohio's 15th congressional district in the 2021 special election[43]
Declined
[edit]- Emilia Sykes, U.S. representative from Ohio's 13th congressional district (2023–present)[44][45]
- Greg Landsman, U.S. representative from Ohio's 1st congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[44][45]
- Shontel Brown, U.S. representative from Ohio's 11th congressional district (2021-present)[45]
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Amy Acton |
Sherrod Brown |
Tim Ryan |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[31][32] | April 18–24, 2025 | 335 (RV) | – | 20% | 59% | 16% | 14%[h] | – |
| 52% | – | 38% | 10%[i] | – | ||||
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[34] | February 14–21, 2025 | 335 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 20% | 59% | 17% | – | 4% |
| 46% | – | 45% | – | 9% |
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[46] | Likely R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[47] | Solid R | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[48] | Likely R | May 1, 2025 |
Polling
[edit]Vivek Ramaswamy vs. Amy Acton
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Vivek Ramaswamy (R) |
Amy Acton (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[31][32] | April 18–24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 50% | 45% | 5%[j] | – |
| Ramaswamy declares his candidacy | |||||||
| Public Policy Polling (D)[49][D] | February 19–20, 2025 | 642 (RV) | ± 3.9% | 44% | 45% | – | 11% |
Hypothetical polling
Vivek Ramaswamy vs. Tim Ryan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Vivek Ramaswamy (R) |
Tim Ryan (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[31][32] | April 18–24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 51% | 44% | 5%[j] | – |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[49][D] | February 19–20, 2025 | 642 (RV) | ± 3.9% | 48% | 42% | – | 10% |
Dave Yost vs. Amy Acton
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Dave Yost (R) |
Amy Acton (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[31][32] | April 18–24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 46% | 45% | 9%[k] | – |
Dave Yost vs. Tim Ryan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Dave Yost (R) |
Tim Ryan (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[31][32] | April 18–24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 46% | 44% | 10%[i] | – |
Jim Tressel vs. Amy Acton
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jim Tressel (R) |
Amy Acton (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[31][32] | April 18–24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 46% | 44% | 10%[i] | – |
Jim Tressel vs. Tim Ryan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jim Tressel (R) |
Tim Ryan (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[31][32] | April 18–24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 46% | 43% | 11%[l] | – |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ Jim Tressel with 14%
- ^ Jim Tressel with 11%
- ^ Jim Tressel with 17%
- ^ Robert Sprague and Jeremiah Workman with 1%
- ^ Robert Sprague with 6%
- ^ Robert Sprague with 2%; Jeremiah Workman with 1%
- ^ "Neither" with 14%
- ^ a b c "Someone else" with 10%
- ^ a b "Someone else" with 5%
- ^ "Someone else" with 9%
- ^ "Someone else" with 11%
Partisan clients
- ^ Poll sponsored by Dave Yost
- ^ Poll sponsored by Club for Growth
- ^ Poll sponsored by Vivek Ramaswamy
- ^ a b Poll sponsored by 314 Action, an organization dedicated to electing Democratic scientists to public office.
External links
[edit]Official campaign websites
- Amy Acton (D) for governor
- Heather Hill (R) for governor
- Vivek Ramaswamy (R) for governor
- Dave Yost (R) for governor
References
[edit]- ^ Muhammad, Mariyam. "Can Mike DeWine run for Ohio governor in 2026? What to know about term limits". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ "Hill begins 2026 bid for Ohio Governor". Morgan County Herald. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Smyth, Julie Carr (February 24, 2025). "Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy joins the Ohio governor's race". The Associated Press. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
- ^ Rees, David (February 10, 2025). "Gov. DeWine picks former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel as lieutenant governor". WDTN. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
During Monday's press conference, Tressel did not rule out jumping into the 2026 race for the governor's mansion
- ^ "Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel confirms he's considering a run for governor". NBC News. May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ Zanona, Melanie; Soellner, Mica (January 23, 2025). "Lawmakers have their eyes on governors' mansions". Punchbowl News. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ Pelzer, Jeremy (September 25, 2023). "Ohio Republican bows out of 2026 governor's race". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ a b Balmert, Jessie; BeMiller, Haley (February 5, 2025). "Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague to run for secretary of state, backs Ramaswamy for governor". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ Jordan, Felicia (May 16, 2025). "'I am simply not that important' | AG Dave Yost suspends his campaign to be Ohio's governor". WCPO-TV. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Keff (March 17, 2025). "Morning Digest, sponsored by Liftoff Campaigns: The Democratic plan to win back one of Pennsylvania's swingiest counties". The Downballot. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
Republican Rep. Warren Davidson has endorsed businessman Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign for Ohio's open governorship, ending what little talk there'd been that the congressman might seek the post.
- ^ Krieg, Daniel Strauss, Gregory (January 17, 2025). "DeWine expected to name state Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to fill Senate seat vacated by Vance". CNN. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
Pressed on his previous interest in being governor, and the decision to accept the appointment to the US Senate, Husted said he 'switched my mind probably 100 times.'
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Smyth, Julie Carr (April 9, 2025). "Trump favorite Jon Husted launches 2026 U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio". Associated Press. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ Smyth, Julie Carr (February 6, 2025). "Ohio elections chief Frank LaRose will run for state auditor in 2026". Associated Press. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ a b Trau, Morgan (February 12, 2025). "From gridiron to Statehouse: Could Jim Tressel shake up the Buckeye State's 2026 gubernatorial election". WEWS-TV. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
- ^ a b Ashleigh, Fields (February 25, 2025). "Trump, Musk endorse Ramaswamy in Ohio governor's race". The Hill. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c Wright, David (February 24, 2025). "Vivek Ramaswamy announces 2026 bid for Ohio governor". CNN. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ Sinha, Anand (April 23, 2025). "Senator Lummis backs Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio governor". TheStreet. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Kasler, Karen (March 24, 2025). "Moreno, state senators add to list of endorsements for Ramaswamy over Yost for Ohio governor". WYSO. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ^ Windsor, Jack (March 14, 2025). "Vivek Ramaswamy scores another endorsement in bid for Ohio governor". The Ohio Press Network. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ^ a b Nir, David (April 9, 2025). "Morning Digest: Democrats land first major candidate for top 2026 Senate race". The Downballot. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ a b Moorwood, Victoria (April 7, 2025). "Yost or Ramaswamy for governor? Where Cincinnati-area Republicans stand". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ McColley, Rob (March 14, 2025). "To the editor: Ohio needs bold leadership; that's why I'm for Ramaswamy". Toledo Blade. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ^ a b Jeremy Pelzer (March 3, 2025). "Ramaswamy, Yost split Ohio sheriff endorsements in 2026 Republican governor's race". Cleveland.com. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
- ^ Avery Kreemer (May 9, 2025). "Vivek Ramaswamy bid for governor boosted by early Ohio GOP endorsement". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ Balmert, Jessie (March 6, 2025). "Ohio Christian leader endorses Hindu Vivek Ramaswamy over AG Dave Yost for governor". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ a b Jessie Balmert (April 25, 2025). "Trump is backing Ramaswamy for Ohio governor. Who has endorsed in race to replace DeWine?". USA Today. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ Jocelyn Fernandes (February 25, 2025). "Vivek Ramaswamy's Ohio Governor bid: Elon Musk wishes 'good luck, full endorsement', Donald Trump says 'SPECIAL'". mint. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Donaldson, Sarah (May 9, 2025). "Ramaswamy secures Ohio GOP's early endorsement for governor in contested 2026 race". WVXU. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ "Armenian National Committee of America Endorses Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio Governor". May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ "Blackwell endorses Yost in Ohio governor's race". The Crescent-News. February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Alexander, Robert (April 29, 2025). "Survey of 800 Ohio Registered voters 18+, April 2025 Tabs". Bowling Green State University. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Alexander, Robert (April 29, 2025). "Survey of 800 Ohio Registered voters 18+, April 2025 Toplines Survey of 800 Ohio Registered voters 18+, April 2025 Toplines". Bowling Green State University. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ Fabrizio, Tony; Lee, David; Tunis, Travis (April 14, 2025). "Trump Endorsement Propels Ramaswamy Into Huge Lead in Republican Primary" (PDF). Fabrizio, Lee & Associates. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ a b Fortinsky, Sarah (March 4, 2025). "Ohio governor's race poll: Ramaswamy a favorite, Sherrod Brown has strong backing". The Hill. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ Clark, Justin (February 18, 2025). "National Public Affairs Polling - 2026 Ohio Governor Republican Primary Research" (PDF). National Public Affairs. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Allen, Bryon (February 3, 2025). "Recent WPA Intelligence Poll Shows Vivek Ramasway With a Commanding Lead in the Republican primary for Ohio Governor" (PDF). Club for Growth. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Fabrizio, Tony (January 28, 2025). "Ramasway is the overwhelming frontrunner in GOP Race for Ohio governor". DocumentCloud. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Buchanan, Tyler (January 7, 2025). "Acton announces run for Ohio governor". Axios. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ Martin, Jonathan. "'He Is Ohio': DeWine Pitches an Alternative to Ramaswamy". Politico. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
- ^ Pelzer, Jeremy (August 26, 2024). "Ex-Ohio Dems Chair Chris Redfern eyes 2026 run for statewide office". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ Tobias, Andrew (November 14, 2024). "Democrat Tim Ryan open to 2026 election run; who's battling for Ohio House speaker". Signal Cleveland. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ Kasler, Karen (May 15, 2025). "Democrat Tim Ryan says he'll decide this summer if he'll run for Ohio governor next year". WYSO. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ Henry, Megan (January 7, 2025). "Dr. Amy Acton is running for Ohio governor". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
There is speculation about whether Ohio Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, will also run for governor.
- ^ a b Gonzales, Nathan (February 12, 2025). "House members running for governor could complicate fight for majority". Roll Call. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c Solender, Andrew (April 10, 2025). "House leaders face growing horde of members grasping for higher office". Axios. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Williams, Jim (February 24, 2025). "Acton Leads Ramaswamy in Gubernatorial Matchup" (PDF). 314 Action. Retrieved February 25, 2025.