Election season is here, and Ohioans have several deadlines they need to know as they look at their sample ballots before they vote in November. One of the offices on the ballot is governor, with Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy in a close race for the state's top elected position.
But what about Gov. Mike DeWine? Can DeWine serve a third term as Ohio's governor? Why isn't he running again? Here’s what to know.
Who is on the ballot for Ohio governor in 2026?
Dr. Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy are the Democratic and Republican candidates, respectively, on the ballot for Ohio's governor race. Libertarian Don Kissick is also on the ballot.
Why isn't Mike DeWine on the Ohio ballot?
The Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules website states that a governor cannot run for more than two terms:
“No person shall hold the office of governor for a period
longer than two successive terms of four years. No person shall hold any one of the offices of lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer of state, attorney general, or auditor of state for a period longer than two successive terms of four years. Terms shall be considered successive unless separated by a period of four or more years.”
Because DeWine has been Ohio’s governor for two terms in a row, he can’t run for governor again.
When does Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s term end?
DeWine was first elected in 2018 and began serving his time in office on Jan. 14, 2019, according to BallotPedia. He was re-elected on Nov. 8, 2022, in Ohio's general election.
DeWine's term ends on Jan. 11, 2027.
What are the Ohio governor term limits?
Ohio limits governors to two consecutive, four-year terms.
Twenty-two other states have the same rule, according to a story by the Tallahassee Democrat. That list includes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Arkansas, California, Delaware, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota and Oklahoma all limit governors to no more than two terms in a lifetime, according to TermLimits.com.
Vermont and New Hampshire have no term limits on their governor, but they limit terms to two years instead of four, TermLimits.com reports.
Virginia is the only state with a one-term lifetime limit, per TermLimits.com
How many times has Mike DeWine run in elections?
DeWine has an extensive track record of election wins. The 2022 election was his 13th. According to BallotPedia, his political career includes:
- Ohio Governor (2019-present)
- Ohio Attorney General (2011-2019)
- U.S. Senate (1995-2007)
- Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (1991-1994)
- U.S. House of Representatives in Ohio's 7th Congressional District (1983-1991)
- Ohio State Senate in District 10 (1980-1982)
- Greene County Prosecutor (1977-1981)
How old is Ohio Governor Mike DeWine?
DeWine was born in Springfield, Ohio, on January 5, 1947. He is 79 years old as Election Day 2026 looms.
What are the qualifications for Ohio governor?
The governor of Ohio must be at least 18 years of age, according to the Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide.
The candidate must live in the State of Ohio and must be a qualified elector.
When is Ohio's 2026 general election?
The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why isn’t Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine running for re-election in 2026?
