Former Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) “has told his inner circle to start working on putting an Ohio gubernatorial campaign plan together, though he still hasn’t decided whether to enter the race,” the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

“Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Tuesday plans to call on the GOP to embrace a less overtly belligerent and oppositional posture,” Axios reports.

Ramaswamy will say the conservative moment is at a “fork in the road” and urge them to abandon its fixation on “owning the libs” in favor of a less overtly confrontational posture.

“Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel announced Friday he will not run for Ohio governor next year, ending months of speculation about the former star football coach’s political plans,” the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

“Tressel’s decision further cements Vivek Ramaswamy’s near-lock on the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2026.“

Former Rep. Tim Ryan (D) has “heightened” interest in running for governor of Ohio after former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) opted for the Senate race, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) has suspended his campaign for governor, clearing the field in the Republican primary for Vivek Ramaswamy (R), Politico reports.

Said Yost: “I do not wish to divide my political party or my state with a quixotic battle over the small differences between my vision and that of my opponent. I am simply not that important.”

“When Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s poll numbers started plummeting in the Ohio governor’s race earlier this year, he started looking for an offramp,” NOTUS reports.

“Yost didn’t just want to drop out; he wanted an appointment in the Trump administration that would allow him to save face as he ended his gubernatorial bid.”

“After months of angling for an appointment, he got one. In April, the Trump administration offered Yost the position of ambassador to Cyprus.”

“But Yost didn’t want it… He rejected the appointment, apparently seeking a more prominent position than an ambassadorship to a small island nation in the Mediterranean.”

“President Donald Trump endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy on the night Ramaswamy kicked off his campaign to be Ohio’s next governor,” NBC News reports.

“More than two months later, term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine is scrambling behind the scenes to keep the Ohio Republican Party from following Trump’s lead.”

“DeWine and his advisers are working to deny Ramaswamy an endorsement when the state party meets Friday.”

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R) holds a solid lead in the Republican primary — one that increased dramatically after President Trump’s endorsement at the end of February, according to new internal polling conducted by longtime Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio, Semafor reports.

“The polling now shows Ramaswamy garnering 71% of the primary vote — representing a 60-point lead against his closest opponent, Jim Tressel.”

“Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who will declare his candidacy for governor of Ohio on Monday, wants to reshape public schools, cut regulations and slash spending,” NBC News reports.

“It’s a disruptive agenda that sounds a lot like the one that Ramaswamy helped draw up for President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.”

“Vivek Ramaswamy is preparing to launch his 2026 bid for Ohio governor on Feb. 24 in his native Cincinnati, with ensuing announcements held over two days in the Columbus, Toledo and Cleveland areas,” the AP reports.

“Vivek Ramaswamy has landed Vice President J.D. Vance’s top political advisers to guide his soon-to-launch bid for governor in Ohio,” NBC News reports.

“The hirings followed conversations between Vance and Ramaswamy over the last two weeks, said this person, who was granted anonymity to share details of private discussions.”

Vivek Ramaswamy will announce a bid for Ohio governor “shortly,” USA Today reports.

“With Donald Trump’s expected support, Ramaswamy could have an edge in a GOP primary.”

“Vivek Ramaswamy would consider an appointment to replace JD Vance in the Senate if it was offered — but is setting himself up for a gubernatorial run in Ohio and vastly prefers seeking that office,” Semafor reports.

“Unless the dynamics of the race change dramatically, new campaign numbers on Friday suggest that Gov. Mike DeWine, despite passionate opposition from a segment within his own party, is on a comfortable path to secure the Republican nomination next year and given the state’s larger political trends, perhaps even re-election,” the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

“DeWine reported raising more than $3 million in the most recent period.”

“But more revealing from Friday’s numbers is the weak showing from Jim Renacci, a Republican former congressman who is DeWine’s most prominent challenger. Renacci reported raising just less than $22,000, nowhere near the seven-figure numbers that viable candidates, including the race’s underdog Democratic candidates, would be expected to raise.”

Former Rep. Jim Renacci (R) accused Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine (R) of being more in line with President Biden than former President Trump, as Renacci announced Wednesday he’s challenging the governor in next year’s primary, Axios reports.

“Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley (D), whose profile grew following tornadoes and a mass shooting in 2019, is running for governor, but to win the job next year she’ll need to defeat Democratic primary rivals and then beat an Ohio icon,” the Columbus Dispatch reports.

“Whaley is the first Democrat to officially join the race and her announcement crosses one name off Democrats’ list for an open U.S. Senate seat next year.”