COLUMBUS, Ohio — Television advertisement campaigns have officially launched in the Ohio governor’s race, which is still over a year away. A super PAC aligned with Trump-supported gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has initiated this early advertising blitz, emphasizing how quickly Ohio’s ruling Republicans are positioning themselves for the upcoming 2026 elections across five statewide executive offices.
This rapid approach highlights a pressing question: Where do Ohio Democrats stand?
Following challenging defeats in the previous election cycle—most notably the loss of three-term U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown to Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno, as well as the failure of the anti-gerrymandering amendment known as Issue 1—the party’s efforts to form a competitive ticket for 2026 have remained noticeably subdued.
Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio’s former state health director who played a pivotal role during the early pandemic response, is entering the race for governor as a Democrat. She is strategically building her financial backing and statewide campaign. While Acton gained significant attention during daily COVID-19 briefings in early 2020, she currently lacks the established political influence of figures like Brown, who has historically won statewide elections.
Only two additional Democrats have publicly announced their candidacies: Brian Hambley, a southwest Ohio oncologist and first-time candidate running for secretary of state, and former state representative Elliot Forhan, who is seeking the role of attorney general.
This lack of early activity mirrors a broader struggle among Democrats nationally to unify a strategy against challenges posed by Trump and his Republican allies. Party leaders are divided over how to proceed; some advocate for a more subdued response even as public outcry rises through protests, while others call for a more vigorous counter to losses experienced in previous elections.
“There seems to be a quiet period where many are trying to regroup and determine the best course of action,” noted a political expert from the University of Akron.
As Brown exited the Senate in December, he hinted at a return to politics in some capacity. This has led several potential Democratic candidates to hold back, waiting for clearer signals about his intentions. Some insiders believe the early moves by Republicans are overstated rather than indicating a Democratic delay.
It’s still uncertain whether Brown will run, and if so, which position he might pursue. He could contend for the governorship against Acton or aim for the U.S. Senate seat recently left by Vice President JD Vance. Recently, in a publication, Brown articulated views on restoring a pro-worker message to the national Democratic Party, sparking speculation about higher aspirations, including a potential presidential run.
Once Brown clarifies his plans, many other Democrats are expected to follow suit, according to a former state party official. The party recognizes that it has not won a statewide executive office in Ohio for two decades, but eyes may potentially open if approval ratings for Republicans begin to wane.
The shuffle among Republican candidates is evident, with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announcing his bid for the governorship, Auditor Keith Faber aiming for attorney general, Secretary of State Frank LaRose pursuing auditor, and Treasurer Robert Sprague running for secretary of state.
Potential Democratic candidates looking toward 2026 also include former U.S. Representative Tim Ryan, who narrowly lost a Senate race, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, and former U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach.
A representative for the Ohio Democratic Party indicated that they foresee at least one Democratic candidate for each statewide office and have been experiencing considerable enthusiasm at organizing events statewide.
Experts suggest that contested primaries could significantly benefit the party by drawing media attention and energizing voters.
