COLUMBUS, OHIO — Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan said Friday that he has decided not to run for governor of Ohio next year, removing the most significant hurdle to the nomination of former state health director Dr. Amy Acton.
Ryan, 52, was considering making a bid after fellow Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Gov. Jim Tressel, his former college football coach and mentor, dropped out of the race. The former 10-term congressman was expected to benefit from the strong statewide recognition he received in office. Losing Senate bid Against the current vice president J.D. Vance In 2022.
“After careful consideration, much prayer and reflection, and after long conversations with my family, closest friends, and advisors, I have made the decision not to run for governor in 2026,” Ryan said in a statement.
Ryan’s decision is good news for Acton, who served as Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s state health director during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acton, 59, has been traveling across the state since then Launching her campaign In January. She made it clear in her response to Ryan’s postponement that she would focus her message against her Republican Party- And the Republican who Trump supports Vivek Ramaswamy On the economy.
“Even though the special interests running our state are doing well, they have created chaos for the rest of us, and I will not allow a Washington billionaire like Vivek Ramaswamy to take us down a worse path,” she said in a statement. “I’m running for governor because it’s time for change. Together, we can cut costs, give Ohioans a little breathing room, and build the Ohio we all deserve.”
Ramaswamy, a biotechnology entrepreneur and Former co-chair From President Donald Trump’s DOGE initiative, Republican support quickly solidified afterward Launch his campaign In February, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a veteran politician, forced… Out of the race and Deter giving By Governor DeWine’s hand-picked lieutenant, former Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel. DeWine helped pave his way Appoint the most likely candidatethen Lieut. Governor Jon Husted, to Vance’s vacant Senate seat.
As of August, Ramaswamy had a massive cash advantage over Acton, reporting a $9.7 million raise to Acton’s $1.35 million.
He and Acton are seeking to succeed DeWine, 78, who is term-limited. He and Acton worked as a team during the opening wave of the coronavirus pandemic, appearing side by side every day during widely watched television briefings. Acton was often the face of the administration’s sometimes aggressive measures to protect against the disease, including Ohio’s 2020 presidential primary canceled And the closure of gyms and fitness centers statewide, which a He later described the judge as “oppressive”.
These actions alienated a portion of Ohio’s voters, while reassuring a broad segment of the electorate and the public Winning praise from other countries.
Katie Sewer, spokeswoman for the Ohio Democratic Party, said the party is energized by Ryan’s decision and is ready to move forward to elect Acton.