Tim Ryan won’t run for Ohio governor against Amy Acton, Vivek Ramaswamy
U.S. Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio and his wife Andrea Zetts eat a meal with Marines of Marine Rotational Force Europe 17.1 (MRF-E) at Vaernes Garnison, Norway, June 2, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Victoria Ross)
Former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan announced that he will not run for governor, clearing the path for Dr. Amy Acton, the former Ohio Department of Health Director and current Democratic candidate.
“After careful consideration, much prayer and reflection, and after long conversations with my family, my closest friends and advisors, I’ve made the decision not to run for governor in 2026,” Ryan, a Democrat, said in a Nov. 21 statement, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
Acton will face Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, in the 2026 race to replace Gov. Mike DeWine. DeWine cannot run again due to term limits.
Many Democratic lawmakers and local leaders endorsed Acton for governor, according to Acton’s official website.
On the Republican side, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague and Attorney General Dave Yost suspended their gubernatorial campaigns and endorsed Ramaswamy.
“Should he enter the race for governor, I’m going to support Vivek in his run for governor because I support his intellect, his drive, the outsider mentality that he has in trying to reform our state and move us forward and charting a new direction for all of us,” Sprague said.
President Donald Trump also endorsed Ramaswamy, saying he will never let down Ohioans.
“As your next Governor, Vivek will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Advance Election Integrity, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Some unions that previously supported Ryan also endorsed Ramaswamy.
Acton previously criticized Ramaswamy for his controversial rhetoric last year regarding H-1 B visas.
“Vivek Ramaswamy told us how he really feels when he said that Ohioans aren’t succeeding because they’re lazy and mediocre and watching too much TV,” she wrote. “That couldn’t be further from what I’m seeing on the ground every day. Ohioans are working harder than ever, they’re doing everything right, and they just can’t get enough breathing room.”
She then indirectly said that she is a better gubernatorial option for Ohioans.
“Ohio needs a governor who listens, understands, and who is ready to bring down costs on day one,” she wrote.
However, the Ohio Republican Party’s Chairman, Alex M. Triantafilou, released a statement on Friday regarding the recent news, saying that Ryan’s decision “should come as no surprise to Ohioans” because Ramaswamy is very popular in the state.
“The choice is obvious. It’s Vivek in 2026!” he said.
Ryan was exploring a possible bid after former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown announced he would try to unseat Republican Sen. Jon Husted rather than run against Ramaswamy.
