Republican Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague enters 2026 GOP primary for Secretary of State
Republican Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced his candidacy for Ohio Secretary of State in 2026 on Wednesday, ending speculation he might seek the governor’s seat next while throwing his support behind potential 2026 Ohio governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is the only Republican to have officially announced his run for governor so far. Yost has been attorney general since 2018 and was reelected in 2022.
Sprague, of Findlay, who was first elected Ohio Treasurer in 2018 after serving two terms in the Ohio House, enters a 2026 Republican primary for Secretary of State against former Ohio state Sen. Niraj Antani, of Miami Township.
Current Republican state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, of Bowling Green, is also reportedly considering a run.
On the Democratic side, Warren County oncologist Bryan Hambley has announced his candidacy for Ohio Secretary of State.
In his announcement for the position, Sprague pointed to his work as treasurer.
“For the past six years, the people of Ohio have entrusted me to be a responsible steward of their tax dollars, and today I am asking them to put their trust in me to protect their sacred vote,” Sprague said. “As Secretary, I will continue to ensure that our elections are fair, the results are trusted, and our right to vote is protected. I look forward to working with President Trump, the Administration, and the Ohio General Assembly to these ends.”
In an X post Wednesday morning, Sprague also endorsed Ramaswamy for governor if he runs, calling him “the leader we need to lead Ohio forward with a bold vision of conversation reform. Should he run for Governor, he will have my full support!”
Sprague had been expected to run for governor and had even filed paperwork, but is now the second big name to aim for other office instead, following former Lt. Gov. Jon Husted’s departure for the U.S. Senate last month.
Ramaswamy is widely expected to officially announce his candidacy soon, with NBC News reporting that Vice President JD Vance’s political team has already signed on to his bid, and his backers releasing a poll last week from a pro-Ramaswamy group showing him with a significant lead.
Meanwhile, Republican Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, has announced his bid for Ohio Attorney General in 2026, and Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced his candidacy Thursday for Ohio Auditor in 2026.
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