2026 Ohio gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Ohio gubernatorial election

November 3, 2026

Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor Mike DeWine Republican

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 (Brazell) Hill, entrepreneur, Ohio commissioner (2023-present) and former FDF ambassador, former school board president, former OSBA secretary of black caucus for Ohio school board members.^[1]

Publicly expressed interest

• Jon Husted, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (2019–present) and former Ohio Secretary of State (2011–2019)^[2]
• Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur and candidate for president in 2024^[3]
• Robert Sprague, Ohio State Treasurer (2019–present)^[2]
• Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General (2019–present) and former Ohio state auditor (2011–2019)^[2]

Potential

• Warren Davidson, U.S. representative from Ohio's 8th congressional district (2016–present)^[2]

Withdrawn

• Matt Mayer, former director of The Buckeye Institute^[4]
• Jeremiah Workman, veterans affairs claims assistant and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022^[5]

Endorsements

Jon Husted

Statewide officials

• Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio (2019–present)^[6]

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 Ohio's 15th congressional district in the 2021 special election^[9]

Potential

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

References

1. Hill, Heather (October 31, 2024). "Hill 4 Ohio". heatherhillohio.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
2. Tobias, Andrew J. (January 31, 2024). "Lt. Gov. Jon Husted leads the fundraising pack among Ohio's 2026 governor hopefuls". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
3. Walker, Jackson (September 20, 2024). "Ramaswamy floats running for Ohio governor: 'A little more inclined'". WCHS-TV. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
4. Pelzer, Jeremy (September 25, 2023). "Ohio Republican bows out of 2026 governor's race". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
5. Pelzer, Jeremy (March 28, 2023). "Jeremiah Workman, Joe Blystone's 2022 running mate, launches 2026 run for governor". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
6. Balmert, Jessie (January 22, 2024). "DeWine praises lieutenant governor before 2026 race: 'Jon Husted will be a great governor'". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
7. Pelzer, Jeremy (August 20, 2024). "Dr. Amy Acton says she's considering a run for Ohio governor in 2026". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
8. Pelzer, Jeremy (August 26, 2024). "Ex-Ohio Dems Chair Chris Redfern eyes 2026 run for statewide office". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
9. Tobias, Andrew J. (April 5, 2024). "Ohio regulators unveil more recreational marijuana rules: Capitol Letter'". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
10. Jordan, Jenna (May 14, 2024). "Political scientists look ahead to 2026 Ohio governor race". Spectrum News. Retrieved May 14, 2024.