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      Data: MIT Election Lab, VEST, Census Bureau
      Home/Elections/2026/Governor/Ohio
      2026 ForecastLikely D
      2026·Governor·Ohio

      Ohio Governor

      Open Seat

      Mike DeWine (R) retiring

      Race Analysis

      This is a perfect storm for Democrats. Amy Acton was a rare popular public health figure during COVID who worked prominently alongside Republican Governor DeWine — and she's impressed on the campaign trail against Vivek Ramaswamy. Republicans are walking straight into a nightmare here. Watch out.

      Updated 2026-02-18

      Candidates & Primaries

      Democratic Candidates

      Amy ActonDDeclared

      Former Ohio Health Director under Gov. DeWine

      Republican Candidates

      Vivek RamaswamyRDeclared

      Entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate

      State Demographics

      Ohio vs. National · Pop. 11.8M

      White (non-Hispanic)75.8%
      National: 57.4%
      Black12.2%
      National: 12.2%
      Hispanic/Latino4.8%
      National: 19.3%
      Asian2.6%
      National: 6.0%
      College Degree31.6%
      National: 35.6%
      Median Income$72,438
      National: $83,960
      Median Age39.8
      National: 39.1

      Seat History

      Governor in Ohio

      2022
      Michael DewineREP
      R+25.0
      2018
      Michael DewineREP
      R+3.7
      2014
      John R KasichREP
      R+30.6
      2010
      John R KasichREP
      R+2.0
      2006
      Ted StricklandDEM
      D+23.9
      2002
      Robert Alphonso TaftREP
      R+19.4
      1998
      Robert Alphonso TaftREP
      R+5.4
      1994
      George VoinovichREP
      R+46.8
      1990
      George VoinovichREP
      R+11.3
      1986
      Richard F CelesteDEM
      D+21.2
      1982
      Richard F CelesteDEM
      D+20.2
      1978
      James A. RhodesREP
      R+1.7
      1974
      James A. RhodesREP
      R+0.4
      1970
      John J. GilliganDEM
      D+10.8
      1966
      James A. RhodesREP
      R+24.4
      View all Governor history for Ohio →

      Also in Ohio, 2026

      Senate (Special)
      Lean D      ← 2026 Forecast Overview
      ← 2026 Forecast OverviewOhio profileAll elections