A Vivek Ramaswamy-Jim Tressel matchup for the Republican gubernatorial nomination would have been fascinating.

But Tressel, who went from retired Youngstown State University president and a famed former college football coach to being appointed lieutenant governor, opted not to run in 2026 for governor.

It never seemed that Tressel’s heart was in a governor’s campaign. It’s understandable considering he was named lieutenant governor a little more than seven months ago after never running for public office.

Tressel constantly deflected questions about his candidacy while only saying a few times that he had not completely ruled it out.

The speculation about Tressel for governor started with the stunning Feb. 10 announcement by Gov. Mike DeWine that he chose the retired YSU president and

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