Ohioans had virtually no break from politics as candidates began launching their campaigns for Ohio’s biggest offices, following the Inauguration of President Trump. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, because he is term-limited, cannot run for re-election. That means, no matter what, Ohio will receive a new Governor in 2026. The only question is who?
It may be an unfair presumption, but given Ohio’s trend towards conservative candidates with overwhelming majorities, Ohioans can look to the Republican primary to find out who their next Governor will be. Speculation had predicted a showdown between Republican Incumbent Attorney General Dave Yost and Fmr. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. However, Husted was appointed to the US Senate following Sen. JD Vance’s inauguration as Vice President. Husted reportedly turned down the appointment, as he was aiming for the Governorship, however eventually accepted as Governor DeWine felt he was the best candidate.
Following Husted’s appointment, AG Yost launched his campaign for Ohio Governor on January 24th.
“I’m officially running to be Ohio’s next governor” AG Yost said in an X post, “I’m honored to serve as your America First Attorney General & support President Trump’s agenda. With your help, we’ll move Ohio forward to a brighter future.”
Also positioning for a run for governor is Ohio Treasurer, Robert Sprague. Sprague doubled down on his ambition following Husted’s appointment and filed paperwork with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office to run for governor. A formal announcement is expected soon.
The serious competition in the race however, will be the looming entry of big pharma billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who ran a failed campaign for President in 2024. Mr. Ramasamy, after losing the Iowa Caucus last year, quickly aligned himself with President Trump, endorsing him in Trump’s successful bid for the White House. Initially, the President announced his intention to appoint Tesla founder and the world’s wealthiest person, Elon Musk, to chair the newly created Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Ramaswamy. However, before President Trump took office, Mr. Ramaswamy abruptly quit in order to pursue what other officials simply called “elected office”. The Cincinnati billionaire has been close friends with Vice President JD Vance and according to NBC, has borrowed top campaign advisors from him who presumably will help him in his campaign for governor.
Ultimately, the winner of the Republican primary will be the recipient of President Trump’s endorsement, as the President has considerable momentum and leeway in the Buckeye State, easily enabling him to play kingmaker. Other key endorsements would include Vice President Vance and Ohio’s Senators, Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted.
The only democrat to announce their candidacy for governor of Ohio so far is Dr. Amy Acton who served as the Director of the Ohio Dept. of Health, playing a leading role in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Acton advised DeWine the directive to shut down schools and issue stay at home orders early in the pandemic. A physician and public health expert, the Fmr. cabinet director said she was concerned about the direction Ohio’s Republican leaders were taking the state.
“It’s not OK with me that Ohioans don’t live as long as people do in other states,” Mrs. Acton stated to the AP, “It’s not OK with me to watch what used to be a top education system, state-of-the-art education system, begin to fall year after year after year. It’s not OK with me that our GDP is like 45th and our biggest export is Ohioans, is young people.”
The top offices have considerable competition however other Ohioan officials are aiming for other key statewide races. Niraj Antani, a former State Senator who ran a failed congressional campaign last year, announced his plans to run for Secretary of State. Incumbent Auditor of State, Keith Faber, has announced his intention to run for Attorney General of Ohio. Governor DeWine’s appointment of Jon Husted almost definitely ensures that Husted will be the Republican nominee for US Senate in 2026. This leaves Republican nominees yet to declare for the offices of State Auditor and State Treasurer. As for the Ohio Democrats, serious re-evaluation is required before they mount significant campaigns following their devastating losses in 2024.
With election season restarting, a new chapter in state politics approaching, and MAGA politics remaining supreme in the Buckeye state, the 2026 midterms are gearing up to be a fun disaster of candidates battling each other out with voters as collateral damage. The infighting, the betrayal, and the sheer ambition is likely to make the 2026 elections one for the history books in Ohio and all we can do is wait.
