Ohio
Current officeholders from Open States people data (CC0). Look up your own ballot by ZIP.
2026 statewide races
Lean D
Your options: Ohio Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Democrat
Amy ActonPhoto: air force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Who they are
What they say they'll do
- Affordability Plan
- WORKING FAMILIES TAX CUT:
- LOWERING HEALTHCARE COSTS:
From their campaign site · positions on 7 topics
What they've done
Who funds them
In short
Libertarian
Don KissickWho they are
What they say they'll do
- Property Taxes
- Against Corruption
- Economic Affordability
From their campaign site · positions on 3 topics
What they've done
Who funds them
In short
Republican
Vivek RamaswamyPhoto: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Who they are
What they say they'll do
- Lower Taxes, Lower Energy Bills, Greater Opportunity
- Lower Taxes So Families Can Build Their Future in Our State
- Reduce Electric Bills To Advance Energy Independence
From their campaign site · positions on 5 topics
What they've done
Who funds them
In short
Compare where they stand, issue by issue
Quotes are taken from each campaign's own website (first sentences of the section, unedited). Topics are assigned by keyword; we do not summarize or score positions. "No public position found" means we did not find the topic on the campaign site, not that the candidate has no view.
Topic
Amy Acton D
Don Kissick I
Vivek Ramaswamy R
Cost of living & jobs
Affordability Plan
OVERVIEW: Ohioans are working harder than ever, but they just can’t make ends meet. Dr. Acton’s ActOn Costs Agenda will lower costs, help Ohioans keep more of their money by cutting taxes, put money back in people’s pockets, and build an Ohio that delivers for working families.source
Economic Affordability
We want to create and foster a more collaborative small business ecosystem with incubators, venture capital studios, chambers of commerce, and other entrepreneurship hubs.source
Create an Economy Built on Opportunity
Cut government bloat so our government lives within its means—not yours. Slash red tape that drives up costs and stalls business growth. Attract the industries of the future with low-cost, dependable energy.source
Taxes & government spending
WORKING FAMILIES TAX CUT:
As governor, my number one priority will be to secure a tax cut for Ohio’s working families to put money back in their pockets, lift families out of poverty, and make sure Ohioans see their hard work pay off.source
Property Taxes
We are in favor of the end property tax amendment. We prefer to see local consumption based funding. We can balance the budget and eliminate corporate welfare for the larger institutions saving a ton of money for Ohioans.source
Lower Taxes, Lower Energy Bills, Greater Opportunity
Vivek wants Ohio to be the most affordable state in America where families get ahead, not fall behind. As Governor, Vivek will:source
Health care
LOWERING HEALTHCARE COSTS:
As a doctor, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is that Ohioans can both access and afford the care they need — and how right now, that simply isn’t the case for so many people in our state.source
No public position found
No public position found
Crime & public safety
No public position found
No public position found
Crush Crime Protect Our Neighborhoods & Revive Our Cities
Ohio is a state of great cities: Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo, Akron, Youngstown, and more. It’s time for us to restore law and order in our cities so that Ohioans feel safe in our cities. As Governor, Vivek will: Enforce stricter bail and sentencing for repeat violent offenders.source
Abortion
Ensuring Reproductive Freedom
Ohioans have made it very clear that they trust women to make their own decisions about their bodies, not politicians. As a doctor, I feel the same way. Every Ohioan deserves the right to make their own reproductive health care decisions, free from government interference, plain and simple.source
No public position found
No public position found
Schools & education
Improving Ohio’s Education
Every kid in Ohio deserves access to a free, high quality public education. Ohio invented public schools! But decades of privatization schemes and special interest giveaways have led to worse outcomes for our kids.source
No public position found
Educational Achievement World Class Education For Your Kids
Vivek wants Ohio to be the top state in the nation for children to receive a world-class education that prepares them for real life. As Governor, Vivek will: Raise academic standards with a focus on 3rd-grade literacy, 8th-grade numeracy, and 12th-grade civics.source
Energy & environment
TACKLING HIGH ENERGY BILLS:
Our energy bills are too high. Last summer, Eric and my electric bill went up $140 in one month – and I know I’m not alone. As governor, I will fight to lower your bills and save you money. 1.source
No public position found
Reduce Electric Bills To Advance Energy Independence
Expand natural gas and deploy innovative energy technologies to strengthen Ohio’s energy supply and reduce electric bills for every family. Streamline energy project permits and remove unnecessary regulations so projects get built on time and on budget.source
Elections & government ethics
Cleaning Up Corruption
Enough is enough. It’s time to end the cost of corruption in Ohio and put working families first. When I am governor, hard-working Ohioans will stop footing the bill for the cost of corruption in our state.source
Against Corruption
We want to see no more corporate bribery. for so long there have been corporate contributions coming to politicians from regulated monopolies in utilities, healthcare, telecom, and insurance. This is especially present with dark money.source
No public position found
No candidate in this race addresses on their site: Social Security & Medicare, Immigration & the border, Guns, Foreign policy & defense, Veterans, Farming & rural issues, Housing, Roads, transit & infrastructure.
Other 2026 statewide offices in Ohio: candidate details coming soon.
Statewide officials now
What does a governor do?
Runs the state government. Proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes bills passed by the legislature, and appoints the heads of state agencies. Usually 4 years (2 in NH and VT).
- State budget, schools and Medicaid funding
- Signs or vetoes state laws
- Leads emergency response and the state National Guard
RepublicanMike DeWineOfficial source
RepublicanJim TresselOfficial source
RepublicanDave YostOfficial source
RepublicanFrank LaRoseOfficial source
Open States lists only some statewide offices for some states; missing offices are coming soon.
State Senate (32 members)
What does a state senator do?
A member of the upper chamber of the state legislature. Writes and votes on state laws and the state budget, and in many states confirms the governor's appointees. Usually 4 years.
- School funding and state taxes
- State criminal laws
- Drawing district maps (in many states)
District
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State House (99 members)
What does a state representative do?
A member of the lower chamber of the state legislature (called the House, Assembly or House of Delegates). Writes and votes on state laws for a smaller district than a state senator. Usually 2 years.
- State budget and taxes
- Roads and schools
- Local issues raised by constituents
Mayors
What does a mayor do?
Leads a city. In 'strong mayor' cities (like Chicago) the mayor runs city departments and proposes the budget; in others the city council and a city manager hold more power. Usually 4 years.
- Police and fire departments
- City budget and property tax levy
- Streets, water and garbage
Shammas MalikOfficial source
Aftab PurevalOfficial source
Justin BibbOfficial source
Andrew GintherOfficial source
Shenise Turner-SlossOfficial source
Melissa HartfieldOfficial source
Michael WheelerOfficial source
Wade KapszukiewiczOfficial source
Bill BeanOfficial source
Patrick HaleyOfficial source
Scott HolmesOfficial source
Larger cities only, where Open States has current data. City council, county and school board: coming soon.