Election 2026 heats up as Republican candidates pick up support, money and Libertarians enter the race

As Ohio’s 2026 elections approach, Republican candidates are securing ballot spots, earning key endorsements, and receiving contributions from their supporters, while the state’s only recognized third party, the Libertarians, is actively lining up contenders for major offices.

U.S. veteran and Republican Secretary of State candidate Marcell Strbich announced on Wednesday that he is now qualified to be put on the ballot and compete against another candidate in the race, Treasurer of State Robert Sprague.

“Happy to report hundreds of our statewide volunteers secured the maximum amount (3K) of signatures to be on the Ohio Republican ballot for Secretary of State,” he wrote on X. “Vote for a mission-focused, results-driven political outsider on May 5th, 2026, and end Columbus musical chair seat hopping.”

Meanwhile, Jon Husted’s U.S. Senate campaign shared an endorsement video from Attorney General Dave Yost.

“@JonHusted has a record that shows he knows how to get things done. Sherrod Brown is STILL too liberal for Ohio,” Yost said in the video posted on X by Husted’s campaign.

“@JonHusted has a record that shows he knows how to get things done.

Sherrod Brown is STILL too liberal for Ohio.” – Attorney General @DaveYostOH . #OHsen pic.twitter.com/AsBCZayBDs

— Team Husted (@TeamHusted) January 7, 2026

State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania-Twp., who is running for reelection and is known for opposing illegal immigration and cracking down on daycare fraud in Ohio, also shared good news with his supporters on X, noting that many people had donated to his campaign.

“I am very excited to announce that our campaign raised $310,000 in Q4 from over 5,000 donors– bringing our total in 2025 to over $570,000,” he said in a post to X. “I’m grateful for the grassroots support from all over Northwest Ohio and won’t stop fighting until we retire Marcy Kaptur in November.”

🚨 NEW: I am very excited to announce that our campaign raised $310,000 in Q4 from over 5,000 donors– bringing our total in 2025 to over $570,000.

I'm grateful for the grassroots support from all over Northwest Ohio and won't stop fighting until we retire Marcy Kaptur in… pic.twitter.com/NxNxxaIOUI

— Rep. Josh Williams (@JoshWilliamsOH) January 6, 2026

Libertarians in Ohio are also preparing for the 2026 race by introducing their party’s candidates, according to Cleveland.com.

“We know that this is not going to be easy for us, no matter how it slides. So, we want to make sure we have all of our ducks in a row,” the Libertarian Party chair, Michael Sweeney, said.

Potential gubernatorial candidate Don Kissick plans to run on “lowering the state’s motor fuel tax and banning recently departed elected officials from serving as lobbyists.”

Another hopeful, Travis Vought, proposed state aid for Ohioans aged 65 and older and people with disabilities.

The party also introduced Bill Redpath, who is running for the U.S. Senate, and Tom Pruss, who is running for Secretary of State, thereby deciding to compete against Strbich and Sprague. David Gedert and John Hancock Jr. are also running for Congress as members of the party.

“The two-party system has absolutely failed America, and Americans are ready to stand up and make another choice,” Gedert told Cleveland.com.

In perhaps the biggest news yet of this year’s election cycle, Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy tapped Senate President Rob McColley as his lieutenant governor running mate. The official, in-person announcement took place on Wednesday evening in Cleveland.

Soon after the decision was announced, Gov. Mike DeWine endorsed Ramaswamy. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton also chose her running mate, former party chair David Pepper.