COLUMBUS, Ohio—Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel announced Friday he will not run for Ohio governor next year, ending months of speculation about the former star football coach’s political plans.

“I believe that our crucial opportunities in the areas of education and workforce deserve my full attention for the remainder of our term,” the Medina Republican said in a statement posted on X . “My goal is to help finish the amazing work started by the DeWine-Husted administration. Ohio is winning and it must continue!”

Tressel’s decision further cements Vivek Ramaswamy’s near-lock on the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2026. The 2024 presidential candidate and tech entrepreneur from suburban Columbus has cleared the field of opponents , and Tressel had been considered the only remaining thr

See Full Page