Cooler-than-normal weather has settled over much of Ohio heading into Labor Day weekend, and as summer gives way to fall, an Election Day more than 14 months away will continue to take form.
“It’s like, ‘Oh, kids are back at school, I guess I got to get serious about stuff,’” said Sam Nelson, an associate professor of political science at the University of Toledo.
Labor Day has long been an arbitrary benchmark in presidential election years, the start of the end for those vying to be president. Midterm elections are different, and the year before them, even more so, Nelson said in an interview.
“It’s very early, right?” Nelson said. “I wouldn’t think Labor Day of the year before the election would mean very much.”
Even with local races on the ballot this November, close to a dozen candidates for statewide office in 2026 have announced their intent to run already. Some, like GOP and Democratic gubernatorial candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton, have been on the trail for months.
“Candidates aren’t just sitting around waiting for that date to come,” said Chris Devine, an associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton. “They’re trying to lay the groundwork now, whether that’s building a fundraising network or name recognition or just honing their skills as a candidate.”
As the pressure on candidates for public office increases to fundraise early and in excess, most are working on an accelerated timeline.
“There’s more and more of a first-mover advantage,” Nelson said. “You can kind of mark out your territory, maybe set some of the agenda.”
Still, both Devine and Nelson said it can be a matter of diminished return with some voters.
U.S. Sen. Jon Husted hasn’t made a formal announcement he’s running for that seat, but is fundraising and collecting endorsements. Two weeks ago, former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, launched his effort to return to the Senate—meaning he is likely to face off against Husted.
All five statewide executive offices are for grabs in 2026, as their GOP officeholders are term-limited. So far:
- Ramaswamy, a tech billionaire, is running for governor
- Auditor of State Keith Faber is running for attorney general
- Secretary of State Frank LaRose is running for auditor
Two contests will have possible primaries: for secretary of state, between Treasurer Robert Sprague and Marcell Strbich, and for treasurer. The crowded treasurer contest includes current Sen. Kristina Roegner, former Sen. Niraj Antani, former Rep. Jay Edwards, and Lake County Treasurer Michael Zuren.
On the Democratic side:
- Acton, the former Ohio Department of Health director, is running for governor
- Former Rep. Elliot Forhan is running for attorney general
So far, no Democrats have announced they’re running for treasurer or for auditor, but a possible primary is in the works for secretary of state between current Rep. Allison Russo and Bryan Hambley.
