Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel will not run for Ohio governor in 2026

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Despite rumors that Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel might seek the state's highest office in 2026, Tressel announced Friday he will not be running.

In a post on X, Tressel called his term as lieutenant governor the "extraordinary honor of a lifetime," but he wants to finish his term without the distraction of an election. The decision leaves billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who secured both President Donald Trump and the Ohio Republican Party's endorsement for governor, as the definitive frontrunner for the GOP.

"My goal is to help finish the amazing work started by the DeWine-Husted Administration," Tressel said. "Ohio is winning and it must continue!"

Tressel is a well-known name in the Buckeye State due to his former role leading the Ohio State football team to a 2002 national championship win. During his 10 years as coach, the Buckeyes won seven Big Ten championships. Tressel resigned in 2011 due to an NCAA scandal involving player benefits.

Current Gov. Mike DeWine is term-limited, so Ohio will have a new governor in 2026. Ramaswamy already banked a significant lead for his campaign, leading competitor Amy Acton, the Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner, by $8 million. See previous coverage of the 2026 Governor's race in the video player above.

In July, analysts predicted it may be too late for Tressel and other leading names to enter the race, as they lag behind Acton and Ramaswamy. However, former Senator Sherrod Brown, who also faced concerns about a late announcement, entered the race for Senate in mid-August.

Tressel's decision leaves just one prominent name in the governor's race who has not announced if they will run. Former Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat, said he will make a decision on joining the race by the end of September.