Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel Considers 2026 Governor Run Despite GOP Endorsement of Ramaswamy

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel remains undecided about running for governor in 2026 despite the Ohio Republican Party's endorsement of entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who also has President Donald Trump's support. Tressel, a former Ohio State football coach and university vice president, is currently in a fact-finding phase and has not hired campaign consultants or set a definitive timeline for a decision. He emphasized that the GOP endorsement of Ramaswamy does not affect his potential candidacy and has expressed interest in addressing safety and education issues if he runs. Attorney General Dave Yost exited the race, citing party unity, leaving Ramaswamy as the clear GOP frontrunner. Tressel has been actively engaging with voters around the state but has declined to comment on party infighting or the impact of endorsements. He continues to weigh his options while observing the current administration's work on the state budget and other priorities.