Who is running for Governor (Ohio) in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Governor (Ohio) on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for every voter in Ohio.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Vivek RamaswamyRepublican | Amy ActonDemocrat | Don KissickLibertarian | Timothy GradyIndependent | Heather HillIndependent | Renea TurnerIndependent | Ron UlaIndependent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety net programs | Cut them back; families, churches and charities should leadSaid · medium | Expand help for childcare, housing and paid family leaveSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Business regulation | Cut regulations broadly and let the market sort it outSaid · medium | No public position | Cut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental rulesSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Healthcare | Private insurance with more competition and price transparency, keeping protections for pre-existing conditionsSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Abortion | No public position | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · medium | No public position | No public position | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position | No public position |
| Immigration | No single answer fits; see evidence | No single answer fits; see evidence | A path to citizenship for most, and more legal immigrationSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Energy and climate | Maximize oil and gas; climate rules hurt the economySaid · medium | All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickSaid · medium | No public position | All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickSaid · medium | Maximize oil and gas; climate rules hurt the economyQuestionnaire answer · medium | No public position | No public position |
| School choice | Yes, universal school choice for every familySaid · medium | No, keep public money in traditional public schoolsSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Curriculum and books | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | Parents, including the right to remove material they object toQuestionnaire answer · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Housing and growth | No public position | No public position | No public position | Allow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Policing and crime | More police, with a focus on repeat offendersSaid · medium | Fund police and add reforms like body cameras and use-of-force limitsSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Election rules | Photo ID required, with current access otherwiseSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | Easier access: automatic registration and mail voting for anyoneSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Gender care for minors | No, ban these treatments for minorsSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Redistricting | No public position | No public position | No public position | Independent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Term limits | No public position | No public position | No public position | No term limits; voters should decide at each electionSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Campaign finance | No public position | Keep spending legal but require groups to disclose their large donorsSaid · medium | No single answer fits; see evidence | Overturn Citizens United by amendment and add public financing of campaignsSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Ranked-choice voting | No public position | No public position | No public position | Yes, use it for state and federal races tooSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Kids online | Ban social media accounts for minorsSaid · medium | Require app stores and platforms to verify age and get parental consentSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Nuclear power | Fast-track nuclear as a top priority with strict approval deadlines and looser rulesSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | Back new reactors with public funds, tax credits, and streamlined approvalsSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| China policy | Decouple: end normal trade and bar Chinese ownership of U.S. land and companiesSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position | No public position |
Vivek Ramaswamy
RepublicanPrivate citizen (entrepreneur)
Vivek Ramaswamy is the Republican nominee for governor of Ohio, running on a joint ticket with Robert A. McColley for lieutenant governor1. Born in Cincinnati, he is a Harvard and Yale Law graduate who founded the biotech company Roivant Sciences in 2014 and the investment firm Strive Asset Management in 20222. He ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and withdrew in January 2024, and has not held elected office23.
Where they stand 13 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Energy and climateMaximize oil and gas; climate rules hurt the economymedium
Said · medium confidence- His 2026 Ohio campaign plan calls for expanding natural gas, deploying innovative energy technologies, and removing unnecessary regulations on energy projects. (2026) source
- Wrote that coal should be embraced and praised federal executive orders that he said roll back burdensome climate regulations. (2025-04-28) source
- His 2024 presidential campaign platform said: drill, frack and burn coal, abandon the climate cult and unshackle nuclear energy. (2024-01) source
Nuclear powerFast-track nuclear as a top priority with strict approval deadlines and looser rulesmedium
Said · medium confidence- His 2024 presidential campaign platform called for unshackling nuclear energy. (2024-01) source
- His 2024 campaign's policy document on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as reproduced by Ballotpedia, said the commission stifles innovation and noted that plants took 3 to 4 years to build before it existed. (2023) source
Business regulationCut regulations broadly and let the market sort it outmedium
Said · medium confidence- Wrote that the administrative state is not solving problems but is the problem, and pledged to slice through red tape in Ohio. (2025-04-21) source
- His 2024 presidential campaign platform called for a deregulatory Reagan 2.0 revolution cutting more than 75 percent of the headcount at U.S. regulatory agencies. (2024-01) source
- His data center pledge says data centers must meet all air and water quality standards without exception. (2026-08-06) source
School choiceYes, universal school choice for every familymedium
Said · medium confidence- In an August 2023 Republican presidential debate, as transcribed by Ballotpedia, he said to allow any parent to choose where to send their kids to school and to put education money in parents' hands. (2023-08-23) source
- His Ohio plan pledges to give parents meaningful choices over where and how their children learn. (2026) source
Policing and crimeMore police, with a focus on repeat offendersmedium
Said · medium confidence- His 2026 Ohio campaign plan calls for stricter bail and sentencing for repeat violent offenders and for empowering local police and sheriffs to arrest violent criminals quickly. (2026) source
- In an August 2023 Republican presidential debate, as transcribed by Ballotpedia, he called for more police on the streets. (2023-08-23) source
Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His 2024 presidential campaign platform called for banning what it called gender confusion care for minors. (2024-01) source
Kids onlineBan social media accounts for minorsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His 2024 presidential campaign platform called for banning addictive social media for children under 16. (2024-01) source
Election rulesPhoto ID required, with current access otherwisemedium
Said · medium confidence- Called on the Ohio General Assembly to put a constitutional amendment requiring photo ID to vote before voters, and praised the federal SAVE America Act. (2026-05-18) source
HealthcarePrivate insurance with more competition and price transparency, keeping protections for pre-existing conditionsmedium
Said · medium confidence- In a December 2023 Republican presidential debate, as transcribed by Ballotpedia, he called for diverse insurance options in a competitive marketplace and ending the antitrust exemption for health insurers. (2023-12-06) source
Safety net programsCut them back; families, churches and charities should leadmedium
Said · medium confidenceChina policyDecouple: end normal trade and bar Chinese ownership of U.S. land and companiesmedium
Said · medium confidence- His 2024 presidential campaign platform called for declaring independence from Communist China, banning U.S. businesses from expanding in China until the Chinese Communist Party stops cheating, and stopping CCP affiliates from buying American land. (2024-01) source
ImmigrationNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- In a September 2023 Republican presidential debate, as transcribed by Ballotpedia, he called for militarizing the southern border and cutting off funds to sanctuary cities. (2023-09-27) source
- His 2024 presidential campaign platform called for using the military, including drones, to secure the southern border. (2024-01) source
DEI programsNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His 2024 presidential campaign platform called for ending affirmative action by repealing Lyndon Johnson's Executive Order 11246 and ending what it called unlawful DEI indoctrination. (2024-01) source
No public position found on: Minimum wage, Abortion, Guns, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, School vaccines, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, Religion in schools.
Amy Acton
DemocratPrivate citizen (physician; former director of the Ohio Department of Health)
Amy Acton is the Democratic nominee for governor of Ohio, running on a joint ticket with David Pepper for lieutenant governor1. She is a physician who served as director of the Ohio Department of Health from Feb. 26, 2019, to June 11, 2020, after being appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine2. She has also taught maternal and child health and global public health at Ohio State University2.
Where they stand 8 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign says public money should be for public schools and pledges to reform Ohio's voucher system, which she says sends billions to private schools without transparency or accountability. (2026) source
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)medium
Said · medium confidenceEnergy and climateAll of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her affordability plan calls for an all-of-the-above energy strategy using the lowest-cost and cleanest sources available, and for restoring energy efficiency and renewable portfolio standards repealed under House Bill 6. (2026) source
Policing and crimeFund police and add reforms like body cameras and use-of-force limitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Pledges to fully fund police and public safety, prioritize community partnership with law enforcement, and invest in addiction treatment and mental health services. (2026) source
Campaign financeKeep spending legal but require groups to disclose their large donorsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her anti-corruption plan would require state contractors and advocacy organizations that spend on political campaigns to publicly disclose their donors. (2026) source
Kids onlineRequire app stores and platforms to verify age and get parental consentmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her affordability plan says she will work with the legislature to require age verification and other protections against in-app purchases, and to let parents limit exposure to inappropriate and age-restricted content in app stores. (2026) source
Safety net programsExpand help for childcare, housing and paid family leavemedium
Said · medium confidence- Her plans call for making it easier to enroll and stay on Medicaid and for a state earned income credit for working families. (2026) source
- Proposes a Working Families Tax Cut with a child tax credit of $1,000 for young children for families earning up to $85,000. (2026) source
- Her education plan says she is fighting for free school breakfast and lunch. (2026) source
ImmigrationNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign republished a news fact check describing her position as enforcing the law, pursuing dangerous criminals and cooperating with federal law enforcement while holding officers to professional standards. (2026-08-30) source
No public position found on: Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Guns, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Don Kissick
LibertarianPrivate citizen
Don Kissick is the Libertarian nominee for governor of Ohio, running on a joint ticket with James L. Mills for lieutenant governor12. He served six years in the U.S. Navy, including deployments during Desert Shield and Desert Storm3. He was the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate in Ohio in 2024 and ran for the U.S. House in Ohio's 5th District in 20183.
Where they stand 4 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
ImmigrationA path to citizenship for most, and more legal immigrationmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says immigrants should have a straightforward and clear lawful path to citizenship, immigration enforcement should be civil not militarized, and violations can be handled like any other criminal infraction; it opposes unaccountable federal enforcement agencies that detain people without cause. (2026) source
Business regulationCut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental rulesmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site calls for simplifying licensing and regulation for small businesses, gig workers, tradespeople and in-home childcare providers. (2026) source
MarijuanaNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says government bureaucracy should get out of the marijuana industry, which he says is regulated to favor a few companies. (2026) source
Campaign financeNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site calls for ending corporate contributions to politicians from regulated monopolies and dark money, and for a five-year ban on legislators becoming lobbyists. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Timothy Grady
IndependentPrivate citizen
Certified write-in candidate. Timothy Grady and running mate Andrea Neutzling filed a valid declaration of intent to be write-in candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of Ohio for Nov. 3, 2026; their names will not be printed on the ballot12. He describes himself as a lifelong independent who studied economics and public administration and chaired the Ohio Forward Party from November 2023 to January 20253.
Where they stand 8 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Term limitsNo term limits; voters should decide at each electionmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform calls for removing state legislative term limits to reduce the power of party machines. (2026) source
RedistrictingIndependent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform calls for a truly independent redistricting commission insulated from partisan control, and multi-member congressional districts elected by proportional representation. (2026) source
- In a Ballotpedia survey he listed independent redistricting as needed for real political competition. (2025) source
Ranked-choice votingYes, use it for state and federal races toomedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform calls for adopting approval or ranked-choice voting for state elections and letting charter cities adopt other voting methods. (2026) source
Campaign financeOverturn Citizens United by amendment and add public financing of campaignsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform proposes Democracy Dollars, a $100 voucher every two years for each voter to give to Ohio candidates, plus a $2,500 donation cap and a limit on candidate self-funding. (2026) source
Housing and growthAllow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform calls for legalizing dense, mixed-use development statewide, standardizing building codes and bringing local zoning into alignment with them. (2026) source
Election rulesEasier access: automatic registration and mail voting for anyonemedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform calls for same-day voter registration on election day. (2026) source
Energy and climateAll of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform supports solar manufacturing, distributed solar and wind, battery storage, advanced nuclear research, safer fracking methods and clean uses of fossil fuels, along with a statewide smart grid. (2026) source
Nuclear powerBack new reactors with public funds, tax credits, and streamlined approvalsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform supports continued operation of existing nuclear plants, funding advanced reactor research, and a streamlined state licensing process for small modular reactors. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, School choice, Curriculum and books, Policing and crime, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Electoral College, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Heather Hill
IndependentPrivate citizen
Certified write-in candidate. Heather Hill and running mate Patrick Manley filed a valid declaration of intent to be write-in candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of Ohio for Nov. 3, 2026; their names will not be printed on the ballot12. She describes herself as an Appalachian Ohio entrepreneur who started Ohio Hunting Lodge in 2015 and a former school board president3.
Where they stand 4 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Energy and climateMaximize oil and gas; climate rules hurt the economymedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In a 2025 Ballotpedia candidate survey she said Ohio should use its reliable, traditional fuels and minerals to create jobs and lower energy costs, and should not let Washington bureaucrats or out-of-state activists hold the state back. (2025) source
Curriculum and booksParents, including the right to remove material they object tomedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In a 2025 Ballotpedia candidate survey she said no one cares more about a child's future than parents, pledged to protect parents' rights over their children's education, and to get radical ideologies out of schools. (2025) source
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestlow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a 2025 Ballotpedia candidate survey she said she is proudly pro-life and pro-family and believes in protecting life while supporting women's health and rights. (2025) source
GunsNo single answer fitsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In a 2025 Ballotpedia candidate survey she said her family owns arms of every kind and she would defend the right to bear arms. (2025) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Immigration, School choice, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Renea Turner
IndependentPrivate citizen
Certified write-in candidate. Renea Turner and running mate Jalen Turner filed a valid declaration of intent to be write-in candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of Ohio for Nov. 3, 2026; their names will not be printed on the ballot12.
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Ron Ula
IndependentPrivate citizen
Certified write-in candidate. Ron Ula and running mate Michael C. Lehnerd filed a valid declaration of intent to be write-in candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of Ohio for Nov. 3, 2026; their names will not be printed on the ballot12.
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.