The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated November 6, 2026. The result recorded below is a race call by a news organization, not a certified total; the state election office certifies the official count.
Result
Amy Acton (D) defeated Vivek Ramaswamy (R). The Associated Press called the race at 10:49 p.m. Eastern on November 3, 2026. Acton is the first Democrat elected Ohio governor since 2006 and the state's first woman governor.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Amy Acton (D) |
| Called by | Associated Press, 10:49 p.m. Eastern, November 3, 2026 |
| Outcome | Democratic pickup |
A race call is a projection, not a certified total. County canvasses and state certification follow, as the certification calendar explains. The full map is on the governor results page.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Governor of Ohio, four-year term |
| Candidates | Vivek Ramaswamy (R) and Amy Acton (D) |
| Incumbent | Mike DeWine (R), term-limited |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
| Same-ballot contest | U.S. Senate special election; see Ohio Senate race |
| All races | 2026 governor races hub |
| Voting guide | How to vote in Ohio |
| Race rating | See Cook, Sabato, and DDHQ for current ratings and dates |
| Official results | Ohio Secretary of State |
What the open seat decides
Ohio's governor signs the budget, appoints the heads of state agencies, and holds a veto that the legislature can override with a three-fifths vote. The office also controls the state's economic development apparatus, which in recent years has meant large incentive packages for factories, data centers, and energy projects.
Energy is the issue that ties the state's politics together. Data center demand, the retirement of coal plants, and the siting of gas and renewable generation are all partly state decisions, and the next governor will set the pace. Abortion is the other: Ohio voters added abortion protections to the state constitution in 2023, and the governor's administration will decide how those protections are implemented and defended.
The state's broader agenda runs through schools, local government funding, and transportation. Republicans hold every statewide office and both legislative chambers, so the governor's race is as much a choice about the direction of a one-party government as it is a contest between two candidates.
Who is running
Vivek Ramaswamy (Republican). Ramaswamy is an entrepreneur and author who ran for president in 2024, according to his campaign and published profiles. He has campaigned on cutting state spending, restructuring agencies, and accelerating energy development.
Amy Acton (Democratic). Acton is a physician who served as director of the Ohio Department of Health during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to state records and published reporting. She has campaigned on public health, schools, and abortion rights.
Other candidates. Ohio ballots can include third-party and independent candidates, and the secretary of state publishes the certified list for each county.
Polls and ratings
We do not repeat a poll number we cannot source. Ohio's recent statewide results have landed outside what many pre-election polls suggested, which is a reason to read averages and to check who sponsored and paid for a survey:
- 270toWin's 2026 governor map — state-by-state polling and ratings.
- RealClearPolitics — a rolling average of published Ohio surveys.
- Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings with dates.
A rating describes the state of a race at a moment and changes with new polling. Check the date before you rely on one.
The 2028 angle
Ohio has voted Republican in the last three presidential elections and is no longer the bellwether it was for most of the twentieth century. Its 17 electoral votes still matter, and its governor will be part of the party's national bench. The Senate special election on the same ballot adds a second national stake: the winner will serve through 2028.
How to vote in Ohio
Ohio's registration deadline has passed. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without an excuse, and early in-person voting begins the day after registration closes and runs through the day before Election Day. Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Check your registration and absentee ballot status at the Ohio secretary of state. Our Ohio voting guide covers ID rules and the absentee application deadline.
What to watch
- The Senate race. The special election on the same ballot will drive turnout and spending, and the two results will be read together.
- The Columbus and Cincinnati suburbs. Delaware, Franklin, Hamilton, and Warren counties are where statewide margins are built.
- Energy siting. Data center and generation projects are local fights with statewide policy stakes, and both candidates have taken positions.
Results
Results were reported after polls closed on November 3, 2026. County boards of elections report to the secretary of state, and Ohio counts absentee and provisional ballots in the days after the election. Our results hub explains how race calls are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running for governor of Ohio in 2026?
Vivek Ramaswamy (R) and Amy Acton (D) are the major-party candidates, according to late-October reporting. The secretary of state publishes the certified ballot.
Is Mike DeWine running again?
No. DeWine was elected in 2018 and 2022 and is term-limited, so the seat is open.
What is the abortion question in the Ohio governor race?
Ohio voters added abortion protections to the state constitution in 2023. The next governor's administration will decide how those protections are implemented, and the candidates disagree about how far they go.
When is Election Day in Ohio?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early in-person voting runs through the day before, and polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where can I find polls for the Ohio governor race?
Use a tracker that dates its averages, such as 270toWin or RealClearPolitics, and check the sponsor and field dates on any individual poll.
Sources
- 270toWin: 2026 governor elections — race list, polling, and ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Ohio Secretary of State — registration, ballot, and results. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Cook Political Report — race ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Associated Press — Ohio coverage and race calls. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- National Conference of State Legislatures — state election rules. Accessed October 28, 2026.
Last updated October 28, 2026. The candidate field is based on late-October reporting and should be re-checked against the certified ballot.