Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel Declines 2026 Governor Run

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel has announced he will not run for governor in the 2026 election, choosing instead to focus on education and workforce initiatives during the remainder of his term. Tressel, who was nominated by Governor Mike DeWine and sworn in earlier this year, emphasized his commitment to projects like the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, aimed at promoting lifelong healthy habits among Ohio youth. His decision clears the way for Republican candidates such as Vivek Ramaswamy and Heather Hill, while Democrat Amy Acton and independent Timothy Grady have also declared their candidacies. Tressel expressed his desire to continue the work started by the DeWine-Husted administration to maintain Ohio's progress. The vacancy left by former Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, who replaced Vice President JD Vance in the Senate, was filled by Tressel earlier this year. His background includes serving as president of Youngstown State University and coaching football at both YSU and Ohio State University.