Ohio AG Dave Yost launches bid for governor

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) announced Thursday he’s running to replace term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine (R), the first major GOP candidate to declare a bid.

“I'm officially running to be Ohio's next governor. I'm honored to serve as your America First Attorney General & support President Trump's agenda,” Yost said in a post on the social platform X, accompanied by a video showing him walking toward the governor’s office.

“With your help, we'll move Ohio forward to a brighter future," he added, linking to his website.

Yost has served as state attorney general since 2019, serving two terms in the role. Prior to that, he served as state auditor. Yost previously teased speculation over a gubernatorial bid for the 2026 election.

Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague (R) has filed paperwork suggesting interest in the role, and Vivek Ramaswamy is gearing up for a governor’s run, though there has not been an official announcement.

On the Democratic side, dormer Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton has declared a run. Other members of the party who could enter include Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo and former Rep. Tim Ryan (Ohio).

Ohio has increasingly trended redder and redder over the past few years. President Trump won the state last November by 11 points. Trump won the state in 2020 by 8 points.

DeWine was elected to a second term in 2022 and cannot seek the office again.

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