COLUMBUS, Ohio—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.
“I believe that our crucial opportunities in the areas of education and workforce deserve my full attention for the remainder of our term,” the Medina Republican said in a statement posted on X. “My goal is to help finish the amazing work started by the DeWine-Husted administration. Ohio is winning and it must continue!”
Tressel’s decision further cements Vivek Ramaswamy’s near-lock on the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2026. The 2024 presidential candidate and tech entrepreneur from suburban Columbus has cleared the field of opponents, and Tressel had been considered the only remaining threat to Ramaswamy winning the May 2026 GOP primary.
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From the moment Tressel was appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. Mike DeWine in February, there was wide speculation that DeWine was setting him up to become his political heir after he leaves the governor’s office next year.
Many moderate Republicans and Democrats have also openly hoped that Tressel, a well-known former Ohio State University football coach and Youngstown State University president, would challenge Ramaswamy, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and his populist policies.
However, in the months that followed his appointment, Tressel remained publicly noncommittal about running.
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The 72-year-old, who hasn’t run for political office before, drew some attention for speaking at Republican fundraising dinners around the state. However, he took none of the steps needed to prepare for a statewide campaign, such as hiring a staff or soliciting support from party leaders and donors.
Rather, Tressel has spent his time as lieutenant governor focusing on education and workforce development issues. Most recently, he has been traveling around Ohio promoting a new state fitness challenge for students in grades 4 through 8.
In the meantime, Ramaswamy moved quickly and decisively to lock down the nomination, raising a record $9.7 million in four months and securing early endorsements from Trump, the Ohio Republican Party, and other prominent party figures.
On the eve of the Ohio GOP endorsement vote in May, Tressel announced that he had “not ruled out a run for governor.” However, that milquetoast statement failed to prevent state Republican leaders from endorsing Ramaswamy.
Ramaswamy spokeswoman Connie Luck declined comment on Tressel’s announcement.
The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com has reached out to a DeWine spokesman for comment.