2026 Ohio Governor Race Update: Tim Ryan Opts Out, Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy Lead the Way
Former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan has decided not to enter the Democratic primary for Ohio governor in 2026 after much consideration and discussions with his family and advisors. This announcement likely means that there will be no contested primary for the Democrats in May, as Dr. Amy Acton has been campaigning for the party's nomination since January. Ryan, who previously ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022, had been contemplating a run but ultimately chose not to pursue the governorship this time around.
While Ryan had been considering a run and had been critical of both Republicans and Democrats, he ultimately decided against it. Dr. Amy Acton, the former Ohio Department of Health director, has been actively campaigning and raising funds for her gubernatorial bid since January. Acton gained national attention during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic when she implemented strict measures to curb the spread of the virus, facing backlash and protests as a result.
On the Republican side, tech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy is the sole candidate for governor after receiving endorsements and raising funds. Ramaswamy, who previously ran for president in 2023 and was endorsed by former President Trump, has been positioning himself as a strong contender for the Republican nomination. With Ryan out of the race, the stage is set for a potentially competitive gubernatorial election in Ohio in 2026.