State

Governor

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 3
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Governor leads Ohio's executive branch, proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes bills passed by the General Assembly, and appoints state agency heads.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected together as a joint ticket.

Candidates Compare by issue

Amy Acton

Democratic

Running mate: David Pepper

Physician; former Director of the Ohio Department of Health · Bexley

The gist

Proposes a working-family tax cut with a child tax credit.
Proposes expanding the Homestead Exemption and property tax rebates.
Supports fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan.
Proposes an “Ohio Rx” platform to lower drug prices.
Supports abortion rights under the 2023 constitutional amendment.
Supports a conditional moratorium on new data centers.
Opposes making Ohio a right-to-work state.
Pledges anti-corruption executive orders on her first day.

More about Amy

View sources (8)

Proposes a working-family tax cut with a child tax credit.
Reducing Costs for Ohio Families | Dr. Amy Acton for Governor
Campaign website · Ohioans for Amy Acton and David Pepper · actonforgovernor.com
“I will also fight for a child tax credit of $1,000 a year for children aged 0-6 and $500 for children aged 7-18”
Proposes expanding the Homestead Exemption and property tax rebates.
Property Tax Relief | Dr. Amy Acton for Governor
Campaign website · Ohioans for Amy Acton and David Pepper · actonforgovernor.com
“As governor, I will expand the Homestead Exemption so more of Ohio’s seniors are eligible for property tax relief.”
Supports fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan.
Improving Ohio’s Education | Dr. Amy Acton for Governor
Campaign website · Ohioans for Amy Acton and David Pepper · actonforgovernor.com
“I will put working families first by restoring public school funding to a constitutional level and implement the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan. … I will bring reform to our corrupt school voucher system”
Proposes an “Ohio Rx” platform to lower drug prices.
Lowering the Cost of Health Care | Dr. Amy Acton for Governor
Campaign website · Ohioans for Amy Acton and David Pepper · actonforgovernor.com
“I’ll reduce prescription drug prices by launching Ohio Rx, an online platform”
Supports abortion rights under the 2023 constitutional amendment.
Ensuring Reproductive Freedom | Dr. Amy Acton for Governor
Campaign website · Ohioans for Amy Acton and David Pepper · actonforgovernor.com
“I will protect reproductive freedom so that every woman can access safe, legal abortion care, contraception, fertility treatments, and miscarriage care.”
Supports a conditional moratorium on new data centers.
Data Centers | Dr. Amy Acton for Governor
Campaign website · Ohioans for Amy Acton and David Pepper · actonforgovernor.com
“I support a conditional moratorium on data centers to ensure they cover one hundred percent of their utility costs”
Opposes making Ohio a right-to-work state.
Standing Up for Workers | Dr. Amy Acton for Governor
Campaign website · Ohioans for Amy Acton and David Pepper · actonforgovernor.com
“As governor, I will protect our unions and ensure that Ohio never becomes a right-to-work state.”
Pledges anti-corruption executive orders on her first day.
Cleaning Up Corruption | Dr. Amy Acton for Governor
Campaign website · Ohioans for Amy Acton and David Pepper · actonforgovernor.com
“On day one as governor, I will issue anti-corruption Executive Orders to restore ethics to Ohio’s government”

Don Kissick

Libertarian

Running mate: James L. Mills

Ottawa

The gist

Supports the proposed amendment to end property taxes.
Proposes restricting government license-plate surveillance cameras.
Proposes a five-year lobbying ban for former legislators.
Supports a searchable public database of state contracts.
Proposes simplifying licensing and regulation for small businesses.
Supports reducing state regulation of the marijuana industry.
Supports a state amendment protecting same-sex marriage.

More about Don

View sources (1)

Supports the proposed amendment to end property taxes.
On the Issues - Don Kissick for Governor
Campaign website · People for Don Kissick and James Mills · donkissick.com
“We are in favor of the end property tax amendment.”
Proposes restricting government license-plate surveillance cameras.
On the Issues - Don Kissick for Governor
Campaign website · People for Don Kissick and James Mills · donkissick.com
“Don would work with the General Assembly to restrict or prohibit government use of automated license-plate surveillance systems”
Proposes a five-year lobbying ban for former legislators.
On the Issues - Don Kissick for Governor
Campaign website · People for Don Kissick and James Mills · donkissick.com
“We want to ban legislators from becoming lobbyists for 5 years after they’re in office.”
Supports a searchable public database of state contracts.
On the Issues - Don Kissick for Governor
Campaign website · People for Don Kissick and James Mills · donkissick.com
“We want total transparency in government contracts and budgets”
Proposes simplifying licensing and regulation for small businesses.
On the Issues - Don Kissick for Governor
Campaign website · People for Don Kissick and James Mills · donkissick.com
“Simplify licensing and regulation for small business”
Supports reducing state regulation of the marijuana industry.
On the Issues - Don Kissick for Governor
Campaign website · People for Don Kissick and James Mills · donkissick.com
“We want to get government bureaucracy out of the marijuana industry”
Supports a state amendment protecting same-sex marriage.
On the Issues - Don Kissick for Governor
Campaign website · People for Don Kissick and James Mills · donkissick.com
“We are in favor of the state constitutional amendment petitions that is circulating that protects the language for LGBTQIA+ marriage in Ohio”

Vivek Ramaswamy

Republican

Running mate: Robert A. McColley

Business executive · Greater Columbus

The gist

Proposes phasing out Ohio's state income tax.
Pledges immediate property tax cuts for homeowners.
Proposes a 90-day suspension of Ohio's gas tax.
Proposes requiring data centers to cover nearby residents' electricity.
Supports expanding natural gas production to lower electric bills.
Proposes higher academic standards and higher pay for top teachers.
Supports stricter bail and sentencing for repeat violent offenders.

More about Vivek

View sources (2)

Proposes phasing out Ohio's state income tax.
The Plan - Vivek for Ohio
Campaign website · Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio · vivekforohio.com
“Phase out the state income tax—starting with eliminating capital gains taxes—so every Ohioan keeps more of what they earn.”
Pledges immediate property tax cuts for homeowners.
The Plan - Vivek for Ohio
Campaign website · Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio · vivekforohio.com
“Slash property taxes immediately to protect families, seniors, and homeowners from being priced out of their communities.”
Proposes a 90-day suspension of Ohio's gas tax.
Vivek and Ohio GOP Leaders Unveil Gas Tax Relief Plan - Vivek for Ohio
Campaign website · Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio · vivekforohio.com
“The plan calls for a 90-day suspension of Ohio’s motor fuel tax to provide affordability relief to families.”
Proposes requiring data centers to cover nearby residents' electricity.
The Plan - Vivek for Ohio
Campaign website · Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio · Ohioans-First Data Center Pledge · vivekforohio.com
“If a data center is built in your community, then (i) you will no longer have to pay for your home’s electricity”
Supports expanding natural gas production to lower electric bills.
The Plan - Vivek for Ohio
Campaign website · Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio · vivekforohio.com
“Expand natural gas and deploy innovative energy technologies to strengthen Ohio’s energy supply and reduce electric bills for every family.”
Proposes higher academic standards and higher pay for top teachers.
The Plan - Vivek for Ohio
Campaign website · Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio · vivekforohio.com
“with a focus on 3rd-grade literacy, 8th-grade numeracy, and 12th-grade civics. … by rewarding excellence and attracting top talent into the profession.”
Supports stricter bail and sentencing for repeat violent offenders.
The Plan - Vivek for Ohio
Campaign website · Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio · vivekforohio.com
“Enforce stricter bail and sentencing”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.