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LaRose confirms statewide candidates for May 5 primary

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced today the list of partisan statewide candidates who met the minimum signature requirement to qualify for the May 5, 2026 primary election. Candidacies are subject to protest until February 20, 2026. 

“I want to thank the professionals at all of Ohio's 88 county boards of elections for their hard work and focus on election integrity throughout this process,” said Secretary LaRose. “As we approach election day, we are focused on delivering another secure and accessible election for the people of Ohio.” 

Protests against partisan candidates’ petitions must be filed by 4 p.m. on February 20, 2026. Additionally, the deadline for write-in candidates is February 23, 2026. 

A Directive containing the official form of the ballot for the May 5, 2026 primary election will be issued to county boards of elections on February 24, 2026. The Secretary of State’s official certification of the candidates below will occur at that time.

The following candidates (listed alphabetically by name) met the minimum signature requirements to qualify for the May 5, 2026 primary election ballot: 

United States Senator: 
Sherrod Brown (D)  
Jon Husted (R) 
Jeffrey M. Kanter (L) 
Ron Kincaid (D) 
William B. Redpath (L) 
 
Governor and Lieutenant Governor: 
Amy Acton, David Pepper (D) 
Heather Hill, Stuart Moats (R) 
Don Kissick, James L. Mills (L) 
Casey Putsch, Kimberly C. Georgeton (R) 
Vivek Ramaswamy, Robert A. McColley (R) 
 
Attorney General: 
Keith Faber (R) 
Elliott Forhan (D) 
John J. Kulewicz (D) 
 
Secretary of State: 
Bryan Hambley (D) 
Tom Pruss (L) 
Allison Russo (D) 
Robert Sprague (R) 
Marcell Strbich (R) 
 
Auditor of State: 
Annette Blackwell (D) 
Frank LaRose (R) 
 
Treasurer of State: 
Jay Edwards (R) 
Kristina D. Roegner (R) 
Seth Walsh (D) 
 
Justice of the Supreme Court – Full Term Commencing 01/01/2027: 
Daniel R. Hawkins (R) 
Marilyn Zayas (D) 
 
Justice of the Supreme Court – Full Term Commencing 01/02/2027: 
Jennifer Brunner (D) 
Andrew King (R) 
Jill Lanzinger (R) 
Ronald Lewis (R) 
Colleen O'Donnell (R) 

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