Ohio is once again at the center of the nation's political map.
The state is home to one of the nation's most competitive races for governor, a U.S. Senate contest that could help determine control of the chamber and several closely watched U.S. House races that could shape which party controls Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's term.
Tens of millions of dollars have already flowed into Ohio as polls show the races for governor and U.S. Senate are close.
Here’s USA TODAY Ohio Bureau's guide to what’s at stake and why it all matters.
We’ve picked five key topics to focus on:
- Open race for Ohio governor will make history in the state
- Ohio U.S. Senate race at center of control of the chamber
- Ohio's competitive congressional races center on a Republican under fire and a Democrat who is the longest serving woman in the history of Congress
- Voters asked to put voter photo ID requirement in the Ohio Constitution
- Fight for downballot statewide offices
You can read the rest of our coverage of elections and Ohio politics here.
Ohio's general election is Nov. 3. In-person early voting starts Oct. 6. Voters
can check their registration status, request absentee ballots and more at VoteOhio.gov.
Amy Acton, Vivek Ramaswamy in tight race for governor
President Donald Trump-backed entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton are facing off in a competitive, closely watched race for Ohio governor. The winner will replace term-limited GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, a longtime politician. Neither Acton nor Ramaswamy has won a political race before.
Ramaswamy, a biotech billionaire, is best known for his 2024 Republican presidential bid and short stint setting up the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency. Acton served as the state health director during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a role that earned her both praise and criticism.
Ohio hasn't elected a Democratic governor since 2006, but national headwinds against Republicans, paired with frustrations over data centers and affordability, have kept this race competitive.
Regardless of who wins, Ohio's next governor will make history as either the first woman or first person of color elected governor of Ohio.
Race between Jon Husted, Sherrod Brown could be key to U.S. Senate control
Ohio’s U.S. Senate race is a battleground for control of the chamber.
Republican Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown are locked in a tight race that's poised to be one of the most expensive contests in the nation.
The matchup features two well-known but very different political figures. Husted, a former lieutenant governor and secretary of state, was appointed to the Senate after JD Vance became vice president. Brown, meanwhile, is attempting a political comeback after losing reelection to GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno in 2024.
Polling indicates the race is close.
Democrats see Brown as one of their best opportunities to flip a Senate seat this cycle. The party needs to oust four Republican senators and defend Democratic seats in Georgia and Michigan to take control.
Ohio congressional fights at center of battle for Congress
Control of Congress is one of the biggest stakes of the 2026 midterm elections.
Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the U.S. House, but Democrats are targeting competitive races that could shift the balance of power. The scandal surrounding domestic violence allegations against U.S. Rep. Max Miller have put a safe Republican seat up for grabs.
On the other side, the 2026 election features redrawn congressional maps in Ohio that make reelection more competitive for several Democratic incumbents.
Here's a look at the four congressional races in Ohio that are battlegrounds this year
Marcy Kaptur defending seat she's held since 1983
The congressional race in Ohio's 9th Congressional District, which includes Toledo, is where Republicans see their strongest possibility of taking a Democratic seat. The race is a rematch between Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur and former Republican state Rep. Derek Merrin. Their 2024 race was decided by less than a percentage point.
Kaptur, first elected in 1982, is the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress. Historically, she has out performed other Democrats on the ballot. But this cycle Republicans redrew the district, which already favored Republicans, to make it even harder for Kaptur to defend.
Max Miller scandal puts reliably Republican district in play
Ohio's 7th Congressional District race was never supposed to be competitive. Domestic violence allegations against U.S. Rep. Max Miller have turned the once solidly Republican seat into a tossup.
Miller rebuffed calls from his fellow Republicans to resign from Congress and drop out of the race as he faces domestic violence allegations from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno − the daughter of U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno. Ohio Sens. Moreno and Jon Husted both called for Miller to drop out of the race. Miller denies the allegations, which are under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is now spending money to help Miller's opponent, Brian Poindexter.
Ohio's 7th Congressional District covers Medina and Ashland counties and parts of Cuyahoga and Wayne counties. President Donald Trump easily won the district in 2024 by double digits.
Republicans redrew Cincinnati-area district, testing Landsman's strength
The nationally watched race for Ohio's 1st Congressional District seat is close, according to recent polls.
Cincinnati Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman is facing Republican Eric Conroy in the Cincinnati-area race. Landsman faces a tougher district this time around. Ohio's 1st District includes Clinton County, Warren County and parts of Hamilton County. Ohio Republican legislators redrew the lines last year so that the district now leans more Republican than before.
Most election forecasters still rate the race as leaning Democratic, but Republicans see it as one of their top pickup opportunities.
Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes' chances improved after dodging redistricting bullet
Ohio's congressional redistricting could have gone much worse for Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron.
Many experts thought Republicans would redraw the 13th Congressional District in northeast Ohio to put the seat in play for Republicans. However, after the maps were finalized in late 2025 the district became more favorable to Democrats. But Republicans are still putting up a fight. Sykes will face Republican Carey Coleman, a former broadcaster and meteorologist in November.
Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics has moved the district multiple times in recent months. The seat was a toss-up before redistricting shifted the seat to "leans Democratic." Current projections now have the seat as "likely Democratic."
Voter ID requirements in the state constitution
Ohio voters will decide Issue 3 this November, a constitutional amendment that would place the state's voter ID rules in the Ohio Constitution. The measure largely mirrors existing law that requires voters to present a valid photo ID when voting in person.
Supporters say the amendment would prevent future lawmakers from weakening Ohio's voter ID laws. They point to polling showing broad public support for voter ID requirements and argue the measure would strengthen confidence in Ohio elections.
Critics contend the amendment is unnecessary because Ohio already has photo ID requirements and little evidence of widespread voter fraud.
The ballot issue has created a rift within the Democratic Party. While many statehouse Democrats voted against Issue 3, Acton said she supports it.
Statewide offices in Ohio up for election
All nonjudicial statewide races are open this year because of term limits, leading current Republican officeholders to play musical chairs as they seek other jobs. If Republicans win every executive office and both Ohio Supreme Court races, including the seat held by Democratic Justice Jennifer Brunner, the GOP would control all statewide offices.
Here's a look at the other statewide offices on the ballot:
Attorney General
Republican Keith Faber, who has been state auditor for the past two terms, is running for attorney general against Democrat John Kulewicz, a longtime private practice attorney who serves on the Upper Arlington City Council.
Attorney General Andy Wilson, a Republican, is not seeking the office. He was appointed by Gov. DeWine to serve the remainder of the term vacated by Republican Dave Yost in June.
Ohio Secretary of State
The open race for Ohio secretary of state features Republican Treasurer Robert Sprague and former Democratic House Minority Leader Allison Russo.
Current Secretary of State Frank LaRose is term-limited and is running for state auditor.
The secretary of state oversees Ohio elections, voter registration, campaign finance filings and business registrations. The next officeholder will be at the center of continuing fights over voting rules, election administration and voter ID requirements.
The next secretary of state will oversee Ohio's presidential election in 2028.
Ohio Auditor
Republicans have held the state auditor's office since 1995, longer than any other statewide executive position.
Republican Frank LaRose is running for the job. He is term-limited in his current position as Ohio secretary of state. His opponent is Democrat Annette Blackwell, the mayor of Maple Heights, a Cleveland suburb. The office is open because Republican Auditor Keith Faber is term-limited and cannot seek reelection. Faber is running for Ohio attorney general.
The last Democrat to serve as state auditor was Thomas Ferguson who held the office from 1975 to 1995. State auditor was the only statewide executive office Republicans won in 2006, the last Democratic sweep of Ohio. That year Republican Mary Taylor narrowly defeated Democrat Barbara Sykes, 50.64%-49.36%.
Ohio Treasurer
Republican Jay Edwards and Democrat Seth Walsh are competing to replace term-limited Treasurer Robert Sprague.
Walsh is a current Cincinnati City Council member. Edwards previously served as a state representative from the Athens area. Edwards defeated state Sen. Kristina Roegner in the GOP primary for treasurer in May. Walsh ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Ohio Supreme Court Justices (2 seats)
Incumbent Justice Jennifer Brunner is the only Democrat holding statewide elected office in Ohio at the moment. A former secretary of state and appellate judge, Brunner is running for one last term on the bench. She is being challenged by former Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Colleen O'Donnell, a Republican and the daughter of former justice Terrence O'Donnell.
Republican incumbent Justice Dan Hawkins is being challenged by First District Court of Appeals Judge Marilyn Zayas. Zayas previously lost a race for a seat on the Ohio Supreme Court to Republican Justice Pat Fischer.
Republicans have held a majority of the seven seats on the high court since 1986.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 5 key things to keep an eye on in Ohio's 2026 election
