Who Is Running for Ohio Governor
Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy are the major-party nominees for Ohio governor on November 3, 2026. Governor Mike DeWine is term-limited, so the seat is open. In Ohio, one vote picks both the governor and the lieutenant governor, so each nominee has a running mate (Ballotpedia; Ohio Constitution, Art. III, Sec. 1a).
Key facts
- The general election is November 3, 2026, with early voting from October 6, 2026 to November 1, 2026 (Ballotpedia).
- Amy Acton ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on May 5, 2026.
- Vivek Ramaswamy won the Republican primary with 82.4% of the vote.
- All 99 Ohio House seats and 17 of 33 state Senate seats are on the same ballot.
Amy Acton is a doctor. DeWine named her head of the Ohio Department of Health, and she served from February 26, 2019 to June 11, 2020. Vivek Ramaswamy is a biotech entrepreneur who ran for president in 2024. Libertarian Don Kissick is also on the ballot, according to Ballotpedia.
Tickets for Ohio governor and lieutenant governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot
Source: Ballotpedia, Ohio gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026, as of 2026-10-14
Ohio Governor Primary Results
Both nominees won their primaries easily on May 5, 2026. Amy Acton had no opponent and drew 767,360 votes. Vivek Ramaswamy beat Casey Putsch with 82.4% of 820,746 Republican votes. Attorney General Dave Yost had entered the Republican race but did not appear on the primary ballot (Ballotpedia).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Vivek Ramaswamy | 82.4% |
| Casey Putsch | 17.6% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results.
More Ohioans voted in the Republican primary for governor (820,746) than in the Democratic one (767,360). Our primary elections guide explains how each state runs its primaries.
Why DeWine Cannot Run
The Ohio Constitution bars anyone from serving more than two four-year terms in a row as governor (Art. III, Sec. 2). DeWine won in 2018 and 2022, so his second term ends when the new governor takes office on January 11, 2027, the second Monday of January.
The new governor will work with a Republican General Assembly. Republicans hold 23 of 33 Senate seats and 64 of 99 House seats, according to Ballotpedia. All 99 House seats and 17 Senate seats are on the November ballot.
What the Ohio Governor Can Do
Ohio’s governor runs the state agencies, signs or vetoes every bill, and can strike single spending items from the budget. A veto stands unless three-fifths of each chamber, 20 senators and 60 representatives, vote to override it. Republicans hold more seats than that in both chambers today. They could override a veto with their own votes alone (Art. II, Sec. 16).
Powers of the Ohio governor
Source: Ohio Constitution, Articles II and III
How to Vote for Governor
Ohio’s registration deadline is October 5, 2026, and the state has no Election Day registration. Check your registration and polling place with the Secretary of State’s voter lookup.
Ohio's 2026 governor election, step by step
- October 5, 2026 Last day to register Online, in person, or by mail postmarked that day.
- October 6, 2026 to November 1, 2026 Early in-person voting Absentee ballot applications must arrive by October 27, 2026.
- November 3, 2026 Election Day Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.. Mailed ballots must arrive by November 3, 2026.
- January 11, 2027 New governor takes office The four-year term begins on the second Monday of January.
Our 2026 governor races guide covers all 36 races, and our Ohio U.S. Senate race guide covers the other statewide contest on the November 3 ballot.
Ohio Governor Questions
Who is running for governor of Ohio in 2026?
Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy are the major-party nominees for the November 3, 2026 election, with running mates David Pepper and Robert McColley. Libertarian Don Kissick is also on the ballot.
Who is Amy Acton?
Amy Acton is the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor in 2026. She is a physician who led the Ohio Department of Health from February 26, 2019 to June 11, 2020, after Governor Mike DeWine appointed her.
Can Mike DeWine run for governor again?
No. The Ohio Constitution bars anyone from serving more than two four-year terms in a row as governor, and DeWine won in 2018 and 2022.
Do Ohio governor and lieutenant governor run together?
Yes. The Ohio Constitution has voters cast one joint vote for governor and lieutenant governor. In 2026, Amy Acton runs with David Pepper and Vivek Ramaswamy runs with Robert McColley, the president of the Ohio Senate.
When does the new Ohio governor take office?
On January 11, 2027. The Ohio Constitution starts the governor’s four-year term on the second Monday of January.
What You Can Do
- Check your registration before October 5, 2026 with the Secretary of State’s voter lookup. After that date you cannot register for November 3.
- Vote early between October 6, 2026 and November 1, 2026 if Election Day is hard for you.
- Mail your absentee ballot early. It must arrive by Election Day to count.
- Look up your state senator and representative. They decide whether a governor’s veto stands.
- Compare the issues on the line in Ohio: the minimum wage, abortion laws and marijuana laws.