Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Wednesday the list of partisan candidates who submitted petitions to run for statewide office in the May 5, 2026, primary election.
“Public service is a patriotic calling, and I want to recognize these candidates for having the courage to get in the arena, as Teddy Roosevelt described it,” LaRose said. “Our team at the Secretary of State’s office will now work with the county boards of elections to carefully review every petition signature and determine whether each candidate qualifies to appear on the primary ballot.”
Those filing for U.S. Senate include Sherrod Brown (D), Jon Husted (R), Ron Kincaid (D), Jeffrey M. Kanter (L), and William B. Redpath (L).
Candidates seeking the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor include the following tickets: Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley (R); Amy Acton and David Pepper (D); Heather Hill and Stuart Moats (R); Casey Putsch and Kimberly C. Georgeton (R); Donald C. Kissick and James L. Mills (L); and Renea Turner and Jalen Turner (R).
Those filing for Ohio Attorney General are Keith Faber (R), John J. Kulewicz (D), and Elliott Forhan (D).
Candidates for Ohio Secretary of State include Marcell Strbich (R), Robert Sprague (R), Bryan Hambley (D), Allison Russo (D), and Tom Pruss (L).
Those filing for Ohio Auditor of State are Frank LaRose (R) and Annette Blackwell (D).
Candidates for Ohio Treasurer of State include Seth Walsh (D), Kristina D. Roegner (R), and Jay Edwards (R).
Two candidates filed petitions for one seat on the Ohio Supreme Court: Marilyn Zayas (D) and Daniel R. Hawkins (R).
Five additional candidates filed for another Supreme Court seat: Jill Lanzinger (R), Jennifer Brunner (D), Colleen O’Donnell (R), Ronald Lewis (R), and Andrew King (R).
Bipartisan county boards of elections will now begin reviewing petition signatures to determine whether each candidate meets the requirements to appear on the primary ballot.
Boards of elections must certify petition validity by February 17, 2026, the same date the Secretary of State must certify partisan candidates for the May 5 primary election.
Write-in candidates must file declarations of intent by February 23, 2026, and official ballot forms must be certified by February 24, 2026.
The full election calendar is available through the Ohio Secretary of State’s office HERE.
