2026 Ohio gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2026 Ohio gubernatorial election
Country:	Ohio
Type:	gubernatorial
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2022 Ohio gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2022
Next Election:	2030 Ohio gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2030
Election Date:	November 3, 2026
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Governor
Before Election:	Mike DeWine
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)

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.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Heather Hill, former president of the Morgan County School Board^[1]
• Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General (2019–present) and former Ohio State Auditor (2011–2019)^[2]

Publicly expressed interest

• Jon Husted, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (2019–present) and former Ohio Secretary of State (2011–2019)^[3]
• Vivek Ramaswamy, former CEO of Roivant Sciences (2014–2023) and candidate for president in 2024^[4]
• Robert Sprague, Ohio State Treasurer (2019–present)^[3]

Potential

• Warren Davidson, U.S. representative from Ohio's 8th congressional district (2016–present)^[3]

Withdrawn

• Matt Mayer, former director of The Buckeye Institute^[5]
• Jeremiah Workman, veterans affairs claims assistant and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022^[6]

Endorsements

Democratic primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• Amy Acton, former director of the Ohio Department of Health (2019–2020)^[7]
• Chris Redfern, former state representative (1999–2002, 2003–2008, 2013–2014) and former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party (2005–2014)^[8]
• Allison Russo, Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives (2022–present) and nominee for in the 2021 special election^[9]

Potential

• Sherrod Brown, outgoing U.S. senator (2007–2025)^[10]
• Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Supreme Court justice (2021–present) and former Ohio Secretary of State (2007–2011)^[11]
• Tim Ryan, former U.S. representative (2003–2023) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022^[11]

Notes and References

1. News: November 18, 2024 . November 13, 2024 . Hill begins 2026 bid for Ohio Governor . Morgan County Herald.
2. News: Andrews . Melissa . Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost says he will run for Governor . December 4, 2024 . . December 4, 2024.
3. Web site: Tobias. Andrew J.. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted leads the fundraising pack among Ohio’s 2026 governor hopefuls. The Plain Dealer. January 31, 2024. January 31, 2024.
4. Web site: Walker, Jackson . 2024-09-20 . Ramaswamy floats running for Ohio governor: 'A little more inclined' . 2024-09-20 . . en.
5. Web site: Pelzer. Jeremy. Ohio Republican bows out of 2026 governor’s race. The Plain Dealer. September 25, 2023. October 2, 2023.
6. Web site: Pelzer . Jeremy . March 28, 2023 . Jeremiah Workman, Joe Blystone’s 2022 running mate, launches 2026 run for governor . May 28, 2023 . The Plain Dealer.
7. News: Pelzer . Jeremy . Dr. Amy Acton says she’s considering a run for Ohio governor in 2026 . August 20, 2024 . . August 20, 2024 . en.
8. News: Ex-Ohio Dems Chair Chris Redfern eyes 2026 run for statewide office . Jeremy . Pelzer . . August 26, 2024 . August 31, 2024 .
9. Web site: Tobias. Andrew J.. April 5, 2024. Ohio regulators unveil more recreational marijuana rules: Capitol Letter'. The Plain Dealer. May 12, 2024.
10. News: . November 26, 2024 . Cohen, David . November 24, 2024 . Sherrod Brown won’t rule out running for Senate again.
11. Web site: Jordan. Jenna. May 14, 2024. Political scientists look ahead to 2026 Ohio governor race. Spectrum News. May 14, 2024.