Columbus, Ohio Despite repeatedly stating that there is still time for additional candidates to enter the contest, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has yet to endorse a successor. That already rings true for the Democratic Party with almost a year to go until the midterm elections.
Time is running out.
Gov. Mike DeWine stated, “This race, really, kind of started early,”
The race to replace DeWine has already seen millions of dollars invested. The most well-known Democrat right away is Amy Acton, the health director during the COVID era.
“They want to see leaders use common sense for the common good,” Acton told us during a Friday interview.
With $1.4 million, the Youngstown doctor has already shattered fundraising records for a Democratic candidate this early in the campaign, and she stated that bipartisanship will be crucial.
RELATED: The compelling fundraising narratives of the two leading contenders for governor
“I will always be focused on Ohioans and whatever it takes to move them forward and solve the issues that affect their everyday lives,” Acton stated.
According to a representative for former Congressman Tim Ryan, the prospect of former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown running for retaken Senate office has rekindled and increased Ryan’s interest in becoming governor of Ohio in order to better serve the state’s citizens.
In a one-on-one interview, GOP-endorsed Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stated, “I would love nothing more than for the Democratic side to have a competitive primary with multiple candidates because we have unprecedented unity on the Republican side.” However, he reiterated the same remarks this week.
Additionally, Ramaswamy broke the previous record for this early in the campaign by raising $9.7 million.
“I’m in this to unite everybody in the state of Ohio around a vision of economic growth,” said Ramaswamy.
President Donald Trump also endorsed the Cincinnati billionaire, but not Ohio’s top executive.
The 40-year-old businessman and DeWine, who has frequently avoided discussing Ramaswamy and has occasionally rolled his eyes at the mention of his name, are very different.
RELATED: DeWine’s predicament in the 2026 presidential election
“When are you going to make an announcement on your endorsement for governor?” On Thursday, I asked DeWine. “Are you still waiting for the lieutenant governor to get into the race?”
According to DeWine, “Oh, there’ll be ample time,” “We’re still a long ways away.”
Since Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel stated in May that he is thinking about running for office, DeWine has persisted in highlighting his efforts.
RELATED: Jim Tressel is still thinking about running for governor of Ohio; Ramaswamy’s GOP support is irrelevant
In early August, Tressel and I met up at an Amazon business event.
“For his gubernatorial campaign, Vivek Ramaswamy has raised close to $10 million from donors. Do you believe your name ID can carry you and that you can raise a comparable amount? I questioned Tressel.
To which the lieutenant governor said, “Well, I haven’t raised any money,” “I see you people all the time, so I’ve been busy with things like this. Even though Amazon is now known as Intel, it is not “Jim Tressel’s future in this world.”
“Is Jim Tressel’s future a gubernatorial run?” I tried again and asked.
“That’s not the discussion today,” he said in response.
Regarding the DeWine endorsement, however, one thing is certain.
“I’m the governor of the state, Republican governor,” stated DeWine. “I’m gonna support the Republican nominee for governor and other statewide offices.”
The deadline for candidates to enter the race is early February.
As more candidates enter the race and the election draws nearer, we will conduct in-depth profiles.
Republicans Heather Hill and Philip Funderburg, Democrats Jacob Chiara, and independent Tim Grady are among the other candidates that have begun their gubernatorial campaigns.
Morgan Trau, a reporter for WEWSstatehouse, can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.
