COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel announced Friday that he is not running for governor in 2026.

Tressel shared the news on his social media pages, calling serving alongside Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine “an extraordinary honor.”

"After considerable thought and prayer, we have decided not to run for governor in 2026," Tressel wrote.

He added, “I believe that our crucial opportunities in the areas of education and workforce deserve my full attention for the remainder of our term. My goal is to help finish the amazing work started by the DeWine-Husted Administration. Ohio is winning and it must continue!”

Tressel was sworn in as Ohio’s lieutenant governor in February. He took over for Jon Husted, who left the job in January after DeWine tapped him to fill the U.S.

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