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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.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Amy ActonDemocratic

    • Proposes a working-family tax cut with a child tax credit.
    • Proposes expanding the Homestead Exemption and property tax rebates.

  • Don KissickLibertarian

    • Supports the proposed amendment to end property taxes.

  • Vivek RamaswamyRepublican

    • 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.

Public safety

  • Amy ActonDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Don KissickLibertarian

    • Proposes restricting government license-plate surveillance cameras.

  • Vivek RamaswamyRepublican

    • Supports stricter bail and sentencing for repeat violent offenders.

Education

  • Amy ActonDemocratic

    • Supports fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan.

  • Don KissickLibertarian

    No documented position found.

  • Vivek RamaswamyRepublican

    • Proposes higher academic standards and higher pay for top teachers.

Economy & jobs

  • Amy ActonDemocratic

    • Supports a conditional moratorium on new data centers.
    • Opposes making Ohio a right-to-work state.

  • Don KissickLibertarian

    • Proposes simplifying licensing and regulation for small businesses.
    • Supports reducing state regulation of the marijuana industry.

  • Vivek RamaswamyRepublican

    • Proposes requiring data centers to cover nearby residents' electricity.

Environment & parks

  • Amy ActonDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Don KissickLibertarian

    No documented position found.

  • Vivek RamaswamyRepublican

    • Supports expanding natural gas production to lower electric bills.

Health & human services

  • Amy ActonDemocratic

    • Proposes an “Ohio Rx” platform to lower drug prices.
    • Supports abortion rights under the 2023 constitutional amendment.

  • Don KissickLibertarian

    No documented position found.

  • Vivek RamaswamyRepublican

    No documented position found.

Government & transparency

  • Amy ActonDemocratic

    • Pledges anti-corruption executive orders on her first day.

  • Don KissickLibertarian

    • Proposes a five-year lobbying ban for former legislators.
    • Supports a searchable public database of state contracts.
    • Supports a state amendment protecting same-sex marriage.

  • Vivek RamaswamyRepublican

    No documented position found.

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.