Latest news with #OhioGovernorRace
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why it may be too late for Jim Tressel, Sherrod Brown to join governor's race
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The race for Ohio governor in 2026 is already well under way, more than a year before the election. 'This is really early for a governor's race to sort of start and almost end,' Republican strategist Matt Dole said. 'It's just been a combination of the party wanting to see the primary over earlier and a candidate coming in and using sort of a national name for himself.' Here's where things stand: On the Republican side, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is the frontrunner. Ramaswamy is endorsed by President Donald Trump and the Ohio GOP. He has raised $9.6 million already for his campaign. Small business owner Heather Hill is also vying for the Republican nomination. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague both were part of the Republican primary but ultimately dropped out at varying points. Former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton remains the only Democrat currently in the race. With only one major candidate on each side, both parties are waiting to see who else will jump in. Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel (R-Ohio) still will not say what his plans are. 'No news on this front,' Tressel said on Tuesday. Dole said Tressel's time to jump in has long passed and said it would have needed to happen before the Ohio Republican Party endorsed Ramaswamy. Ohio woman hopes BOOM! will help her win national music competition 'Jim Tressel can't get in the race at this point,' he said. 'Vivek Ramaswamy just announced $9.5 million raised in four and half months. Jim Tressel is a universally known name in the state of Ohio, but he still has to build a campaign, which he's never done, he's never been a candidate for office. And I think as the former head coach of Ohio State, he can read a scouting report and knows that it's probably past the opportunity.' 'Vivek Ramaswamy has done a pretty good job of rallying all the troops on his side, both in state and then of course with his support from Trump and the MAGA movement at large,' Democratic strategist Morgan Harper said. Harper agreed with Dole – that Tressel has the name ID on lock, but the timing may have gotten away from him. Democrats are waiting to see if people like former Senator Sherrod Brown or former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan throw their hats into the race. 'No denying that they would still have the ability to enter, but the clock is ticking for them too,' Harper said. 'For a Democrat to be competitive in the 2026 governor's race, they are going to have to raise a lot of money. And it's tough to raise money at any time for democrats at this point in Ohio, but particularly in an off-cycle race for an in-state election like governor.' Harper said for Democrats to be competitive in the 2026 race, they need to focus on grassroots efforts, 'to connect with people directly and really drive turnout.' She said they also need to have a strong message. 'Getting started on that early, really showing that you have a message that's going to change the trajectory for Ohio democrats that unfortunately we've been seeing a lot of losses over the last few cycles,' Harper said. 'That isn't going to happen overnight and so that's really the time pressure here is making sure that we have enough runway to raise the big sums that Vivek Ramaswamy has already shown. He has the personal resources and the MAGA movement behind him to generate a lot of resources.' And Dole said the next steps for Ramaswamy will be deciding on a running mate who will help him reach more Ohioans. 'I think his team is looking at the general election math, right, I think he sees that he has the primary election sown up. He's looking at general election math and if he sees an area, whether its geographically, whether its diversity. Whatever it is that he feels he needs to fill, he will do that,' Dole said. Not only will Ohio elect a new governor in 2026 but all executive branch office holders in Ohio are also term limited. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio governor's race in full swing with more than a year before election
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — There is still a year to go until the gubernatorial primary in Ohio and a year and a half before the 2026 general election, but even with all that time, the race for Ohio governor is well underway. Here's a quick rundown of everything that has happened so far: On the Republican side, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is the frontrunner. Ramaswamy is endorsed by President Donald Trump and the Ohio GOP. Small business owner Heather Hill is also vying for the Republican nomination. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague both were part of the Republican primary but ultimately dropped out at varying points. Former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton is the only Democrat in the race right now. With so many twists and turns in the race already, we are still waiting to see, on both sides, who else will jump in and all eyes are on Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel. Ohioans spent nearly $80 million on cannabis last month, with clear product preferences 'I've never run anything, other than run for my life as a coach, maybe,' Tressel said. Tressel was asked by reporters on Wednesday, in every way possible, whether he will run for governor in 2026. Tressel did not give a clear answer, but instead reflected on his past jobs. He said he was an assistant football coach for more than a decade before thinking, 'Hey, maybe I could be a head coach.' So, by that logic, is his run unlikely? 'I don't know if I would say that,' Tressel said. 'If you would've asked, 'Is it likely?' I probably wouldn't say that, either. I just think we're studying.' Tressel said he is in the 'fact-finding, learning mode' to understand what goes into being Ohio's governor. Tressel said his conversations with Gov. Mike DeWine on the topic have been limited so far. 'The governor's busy,' Tressel said. 'He has always said all along 'There will be a day where we sit down and talk about these kinds of things, but until then, let's get to work.'' Columbus officer confronts school board after being denied access to school DeWine said Tressel is 'very independent' and will make his own decision. 'He's a true leader and he is someone who ultimately makes his own decisions,' DeWine said. 'He has a real, real great focus on the things that are really most important to the state of Ohio.' Tressel, though, said he does not have any clear platform right now. He said he would want to emulate the governor's priorities of safety and ensuring all Ohioans live up to their God-given potential. 'To me, those sound like nonnegotiable; you better do darn well at those,' Tressel said. 'Beyond that, I couldn't tell you any particular things. I am kind of an education buff, so I think that's pretty darn important.' Ramaswamy already has the endorsement of the Ohio Republican Party. 'I don't think an endorsement would impact, at least in my opinion, whether I would be interested in getting in the race or not,' Tressel said. 'It is my opinion that this is much too early to have an endorsement,' DeWine said. 'It's a year out from the primary and this was really an unprecedented time to do that.' Horror museum featuring haunted objects, 'last meal' restaurant coming to Ohio But Republican Central Committee members, who voted to endorse Ramaswamy, like Shannon Burns, said unity among the Republican party is essential. He called the committee's decision to back Ramaswamy 'decisive' and said it is 'disappointing to see our sitting lieutenant governor ignore that unified front.' 'Jim Tressel is a respected Ohio figure with a winning football record, but this race isn't about nostalgia—it's about the future of our movement,' Burns wrote. 'In today's political reality, name recognition means nothing without alignment to principle. President Trump and the Ohio Republican Party have all united behind the Vivek Ramaswamy's grassroots movement. That unity leaves no serious path—financial or political—for any campaign opposing it.' DeWine said endorsements are fine, but they do not decide elections. 'In our system, it's the people who show up to the polls,' DeWine said. 'It's the people who vote. Ultimately, this is going to come down to Republicans who vote in the Republican primary.' On Monday, when DeWine was asked whether he thinks Ramaswamy will make a good governor, he avoided the question. 'I'm not going to go any further in regard to the discussion today,' DeWine said. 'I think I've said what I want to say, and that is that Jim Tressel will make his decision. We have a long way to go, so, it's going to be a long year and a year is an eternity in politics.' On the Democratic side, Acton is the only candidate in the race right now, but others are being floated as candidates. Former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan is looking at a possible candidacy, and some say former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is another contender. Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said she is focused on leading her caucus right now, and getting through the budget, which must pass by July 1. But she did not shut down a possible governor or lieutenant governor candidacy. Ohio congressman introduces bill to study 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' 'I do not think my time in public service is done,' Russo said. 'But I have not made a decision about what it means for 2026. I promise you all will be the first to know if we do.' And as for all that is going on between Republicans right now, spokesperson for the Ohio Democratic Party Katie Seewer said it does not matter who the Republicans nominate. 'Regardless of who Republicans nominate, they can't escape from the fact that their handing over total control of Ohio's government to wealthy special interests has sent us on the wrong path for decades,' Seewer wrote. 'And that's why Democrats will win here in November.' The primary election is in May 2026 and the general election the following November. The new governor will begin their term in January 2027. None of the candidates have named a lieutenant governor yet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
18-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Ohio's Republican attorney general suspends his governor bid against a Trump-backed candidate
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost suspended his campaign for governor on Friday, just a week after he lost the state Republican Party's endorsement to Trump-backed biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. In an email to supporters, Yost pledged to continue to fight for the state as attorney general until the end of his term in January 2027. Yost, 68, did not immediately endorse his chief rival after last week suggesting the state GOP had engaged in "a premature coronation of an untested candidate." However, he hinted at realizing he was at an increasing disadvantage. While praising the people of Ohio, he said it had become "apparent that a steep climb to the nomination for governor has become a vertical cliff. I do not wish to divide my political party or my state with a quixotic battle over the small differences between my vision and that of my opponent. I am simply not that important." Ramaswamy struck a supportive tone about the news. "Congratulations to Dave on running a thoughtful campaign," he said in a statement. "He has served Ohio with great dedication, and I am confident he will continue to play an important role in shaping the future of our state and our nation." It was not immediately clear where Yost's political career would go next, though. He will be too old to run for the Ohio Supreme Court seat that's up next year, where age limits are in place. He told supporters, however, that he will keep serving Ohioans "perhaps for quite a while yet." For Ramaswamy, the former co-chair of the president's Department of Government Efficiency initiative who sought the GOP nomination for president in 2024, it represents another positive development in his fast-paced campaign to lock in the lead for the state's top political office. In a state that strongly supported Trump three times, Ramaswamy's close relationship with the president has translated into packed crowds at county Lincoln Day dinners and a successful push for the state GOP's state central committee to endorse him over Yost and Appalachian entrepreneur Heather Hill nearly a year before the primary. Hill said Ohio Republicans should be outraged at the state party's "blatant disregard for our rights to select our next governor." "My heart goes out to the Republican candidates who feel forced to drop out of the race due to the RNC/GOP's unfair bias towards one candidate," she said in a statement. "I want to reassure Ohioans that I will not give up. I will fight tirelessly every day to ensure my name is heard and that I prioritize the best interests of all Ohioans." Despite the early endorsement, the Republican gubernatorial field still may not be set. Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, a popular former Ohio State football coach, said last week that he hasn't ruled out running. The filing deadline for the race is Feb. 4. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who is term-limited, pointed out that the nearly a year before the primary is a "lifetime" in politics. He picked Tressel after appointing the presumptive frontrunner to succeed him as governor, former Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, to serve the remainder of Vice President JD Vance's Senate term. Dr. Amy Acton, the former state health director who helped lead Ohio through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the only announced Democrat in the race. She chose to attack Ramaswamy's positions on a host of issues in her statement Friday, making no reference to Yost. "As Governor, I'll fight for Ohioans who are struggling due to decades of billionaire special interests like Vivek running our state," she said. Yost also failed to mention Acton in his email. He did say, however, that former Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is in the midst of a "comeback attempt" that represents "a real and present danger to Ohio's prosperity." "Sherrod Brown and the risky progressive ideas of his party will unwind all of the good that the last 15 years of Republican leadership has brought," he wrote. "This is a time to protect Ohio, not a time for a family squabble." Brown had no immediate comment. Ohio Democratic Party spokesperson Katie Seewer said Yost referencing Brown just shows that Republicans believe Democrats will be a threat next year. She said of Yost's withdrawal: "At least he's doing what's best for Ohio."
Associated Press
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Ohio's Republican attorney general suspends his campaign for governor after Trump backed a rival
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost suspended his campaign for governor on Friday, just a week after he lost the state Republican Party's endorsement to Trump-backed biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. In an email to supporters, Yost pledged to continue to fight for the state as attorney general until the end of his term in January 2027. Yost, 68, did not immediately endorse his chief rival, after last week suggesting the state GOP had engaged in 'a premature coronation of an untested candidate.' However, he hinted at realizing he was at an increasing disadvantage. Yost praised the people of Ohio, but said it had become 'apparent that a steep climb to the nomination for governor has become a vertical cliff.' He continued, 'I do not wish to divide my political party or my state with a quixotic battle over the small differences between my vision and that of my opponent. I am simply not that important.' It is unclear what the withdrawal might mean for Yost's political career. He will be too old to run for the Ohio Supreme Court seat that's up next year, where age limits are in place. Yost told supporters, however, that he will keep serving Ohioans 'perhaps for quite a while yet.' For Ramaswamy, the former co-chair of the president's Department of Government Efficiency initiative who sought the GOP nomination for president in 2024, it represents another positive development in his fast-paced campaign to lock in the lead for the state's top political office. In a state that strongly supported Trump three times, Ramaswamy's close relationship with the president has translated into packed crowds at county Lincoln Day dinners and a successful push for the state GOP's state central committee to endorse him over Yost and Appalachian entrepreneur Heather Hill nearly a year before the primary. Still, the field may not be set. Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, a popular former Ohio State football coach, said last week that he hasn't ruled running. The filing deadline for the race is Feb. 4. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who is term-limited, pointed out that the nearly a year before the primary is a 'lifetime' in politics. He picked Tressel after appointing the presumptive frontrunner to succeed him as governor, former Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, to serve the remainder of Vice President JD Vance's Senate term. Dr. Amy Acton, the former state health director who helped lead Ohio through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the only announced Democrat in the race. However, Yost said in his email that former Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is in the midst of a 'comeback attempt' that represents 'a real and present danger to Ohio's prosperity.' 'Sherrod Brown and the risky progressive ideas of his party will unwind all of the good that the last 15 years of Republican leadership has brought,' he wrote. 'This is a time to protect Ohio, not a time for a family squabble.' A message seeking comment was left with a representative of Brown. Ohio Democratic Party spokesperson Katie Seewer said Yost referencing Brown just shows that Republicans believe Democrats will be a threat next year. She said of Yost's withdrawal: 'At least he's doing what's best for Ohio.'
