COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is considering a run for governor in 2026, according to reports.
NBC News reported Thursday that Tressel, 72, said in a statement he is considering entering the race after encouragement from other people.
“I have not decided yet, but when I became Lieutenant Governor in February, Ellen told me that it seemed like God had more work for me to do, and she was right,” Tressel said in the statement given to NBC News. “While I have not ruled out a run for Governor — and there will be a time in the future for those conversations — for now, I will remain focused on helping Ohioans get off the sidelines and into our workforce so they can reach their full potential.”
The Ohio Republican Party’s state central committee is set to meet Friday to consider whether or not to endorse a candidate in the primary or stay neutral.
Allies of Vivek Ramaswamy are urging the committee to endorse the biotech entrepreneur. Donald Trump Jr. on Wednesday posted to X, pushing the State Central Committee to endorse Ramaswamy while invoking the state’s support for President Donald Trump.
“You were the FIRST state party in the nation to endorse my father in the last election cycle. We will never forget your courage, loyalty, and leadership,” he wrote.
“I understand that early endorsements aren’t the norm, but these are not ordinary times,” his post went on to say. “We have a country to save, and we don’t have any time or money to waste. President Trump endorsed Vivek, in one of his very first 2026 endorsements, for a reason: We need Vivek in Ohio, and Ohio needs Vivek as its Governor.”
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost voiced support on X for a Republican operative’s opinion that the State Central Committee should remain neutral till after a nominee is decided.
