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Governor of Ohio

From Ballotpedia
Ohio Governor

OH Gov logo.JPG

General information
Office Type:  Partisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $171,059
2025 FY Budget:  $3,881,798
Term limits:  Two consecutive terms
Structure
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:  Ohio Constitution, Article III, Section 5
Selection Method:  Elected
Current Officeholder(s)

Governor of Ohio Richard Michael DeWine
Republican Party
Assumed office: January 14, 2019

Elections
Next election:  November 3, 2026
Last election:  November 8, 2022
Other Ohio Executive Offices
GovernorLieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateAttorney GeneralTreasurerAuditorSuperintendent of EducationAgriculture CommissionerInsurance CommissionerNatural Resources CommissionerLabor CommissionerPublic Service Commission

TheGovernor of the State of Ohio is an elected constitutional officer, the head of the executive branch and the highest state office inOhio. The governor is popularly elected every four years by a plurality and is limited to two consecutive terms.[1]

Prior to 1963, the term of office was two years and, prior to 1995, term limits were not in place.[2][3]

Ohio has a Republicantrifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.


Ohio has a Republicantriplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.

See also:Ohio State Legislature,Ohio House of Representatives,Ohio State Senate

Current officeholder

The current Governor of Ohio isRichard Michael DeWine (R). DeWine assumed office in 2019.

Authority

Thestate Constitution addresses the office of the governor inArticle III, the Executive Department.

Under Article III, Section 5:

The supreme executive power of this state shall be vested in the governor.[4]

Qualifications

State Executives
StateExecLogo.png
Current Governors
Gubernatorial Elections
202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014
Current Lt. Governors
Lt. Governor Elections
202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014

A candidate for the governor's office may not hold any congressional or federal office or any other state office.[4]

A candidate for governor of Ohio must be:[5]

  • at least 18 years old
  • a resident of the state
  • a U.S. citizen

Vacancies

See also:How gubernatorial vacancies are filled


Details of vacancy appointments are addressed underArticle III, Sections 15, 17, and 22.

If the governor dies, resigns, is removed or is convicted on impeachment, thelieutenant governor succeeds.

The lieutenant governor also serves as the acting governor in the event of any temporary disability of the governor.

After the lieutenant governor, the line of succession goes to the President Pro Tem of theOhio State Senate and then to the Speaker of theOhio House of Representatives. Whoever serves as the acting governor has the full duties, powers, and emoluments of the elected governor.

Of the four offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, no person may hold two of them simultaneously or receive the compensation and emoluments of more than one office simultaneously.

If both the offices of the governor and the lieutenant governor are vacant and there are more than 20 months remaining in the current term, a special election for both offices shall be held at the next general election. The highest officer in the line of succession serves as an acting governor until the election.

If a governor-elect is unable to take office, the lieutenant governor-elect takes office and serves as the governor. If the governor-elect is only temporarily unable to take office, the lieutenant governor-elect serves as acting governor until the elected governor's disability is removed.

If, by a joint resolution, the legislature presents the case for the governor's removal on grounds of mental disability to discharge the office, theSupreme Court of Ohio shall have "original, exclusive, and final, jurisdiction" in the case. Within 21 days of receipt of such a resolution, the court shall give notice to the governor, hold a public hearing and render a decision.

If the office is vacated in such a manner, the court also has "original, exclusive, and final, jurisdiction" in choosing the manner of succession to the office.

Elections

Ohio state government organizational chart

Ohio elects governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years. For Ohio, 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, and 2034 are all gubernatorial election years. Legally, the gubernatorial inauguration is always set for the second Monday in the January following an election.

If two candidates are tied, the joint session of the legislature shall cast votes to choose among the top two vote getters.[4]

Term limits

See also:States with gubernatorial term limits

Ohio governors are restricted to two consecutive terms in office, after which they must wait one term before being eligible to run again.

Ohio Constitution, Article III, Section 2

No person shall hold the office of governor for a period longer than two successive terms of four years.[4]

Partisan composition

The chart below shows the partisan breakdown of Ohio governors from 1992 to 2013.
Governor of Ohio Partisanship.PNG

2022

See also:Ohio gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Governor of Ohio

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Ohio on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Richard Michael DeWine
Richard Michael DeWine (R)
 
62.4
 
2,580,424
Image of Nan Whaley
Nan Whaley (D)
 
37.4
 
1,545,489
Image of Marshall Usher
Marshall Usher (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.2
 
8,082
Image of Tim Grady
Tim Grady (Independent) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
574
Image of Renea Turner
Renea Turner (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
231
Craig Patton (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
77

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,134,877
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Ohio

Nan Whaley defeatedJohn Cranley in the Democratic primary for Governor of Ohio on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Nan Whaley
Nan Whaley
 
65.0
 
331,014
Image of John Cranley
John Cranley
 
35.0
 
178,132

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 509,146
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Ohio

IncumbentRichard Michael DeWine defeatedJim Renacci,Joe Blystone, andRon Hood in the Republican primary for Governor of Ohio on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Richard Michael DeWine
Richard Michael DeWine
 
48.1
 
519,594
Image of Jim Renacci
Jim Renacci
 
28.0
 
302,494
Image of Joe Blystone
Joe Blystone
 
21.8
 
235,584
Image of Ron Hood
Ron Hood
 
2.1
 
22,411

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,080,083
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2018

See also:Ohio gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Governor of Ohio

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Ohio on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Richard Michael DeWine
Richard Michael DeWine (R)
 
50.4
 
2,231,917
Image of Richard Cordray
Richard Cordray (D)
 
46.7
 
2,067,847
Image of Travis Irvine
Travis Irvine (L) Candidate Connection
 
1.8
 
79,985
Image of Constance Gadell-Newton
Constance Gadell-Newton (G)
 
1.1
 
49,475
Image of Renea Turner
Renea Turner (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
185
Image of Richard Duncan
Richard Duncan (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
132
Rebecca Ayres (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
41

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,429,582
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Ohio

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Governor of Ohio on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Richard Cordray
Richard Cordray
 
62.2
 
428,159
Image of Dennis J. Kucinich
Dennis J. Kucinich
 
23.0
 
158,284
Image of Joseph Schiavoni
Joseph Schiavoni
 
9.2
 
63,131
Image of William O'Neill
William O'Neill
 
3.3
 
22,667
Paul Ray
 
1.4
 
9,536
Larry Ealy
 
1.0
 
7,011

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 688,788
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Ohio

Richard Michael DeWine defeatedMary Taylor in the Republican primary for Governor of Ohio on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Richard Michael DeWine
Richard Michael DeWine
 
59.8
 
499,639
Image of Mary Taylor
Mary Taylor
 
40.2
 
335,328

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 834,967
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Green primary election

Green primary for Governor of Ohio

Constance Gadell-Newton advanced from the Green primary for Governor of Ohio on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Constance Gadell-Newton
Constance Gadell-Newton
 
100.0
 
3,031

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 3,031
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

2014

See also:Ohio gubernatorial election, 2014

Republican incumbentJohn Kasich won re-election on November 4, 2014.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, 2014
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJohn Kasich/Mary TaylorIncumbent63.6%1,944,848
    DemocraticEd FitzGerald/Sharen Neuhardt33%1,009,359
    GreenAnita Rios/Bob Fitrakis3.3%101,706
Total Votes3,055,913
Election results viaOhio Secretary of State
To view the electoral history dating back to 1974 for the office of Governor of Ohio, click [show] to expand the section.
 

Ohio's Governors andLieutenant Governors have run on the same ticket since 1978. NOTE: Official election results only list gubernatorial candidates. Their running mates are not listed.

2010

On November 2, 2010,John Kasich/Mary Taylor won election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio. He defeatedTed Strickland,Ken Matesz,Dennis Spisak, and David Sargent in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 2010
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJohn Kasich/Mary Taylor49%1,889,186
    DemocraticTed Strickland/Yvette McGee BrownIncumbent47%1,812,059
    LibertarianKen Matesz/Margaret Ann Leech2.4%92,116
    GreenDennis Spisak/Anita Rios1.5%58,475
    Write-In David Sargent0%633
Total Votes3,852,469
Election results viaOhio Secretary of State.

2006

On November 7, 2006,Ted Strickland/Lee Fisher won election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio. He defeated J. Kenneth Blackwell, Robert Fitrakis, William S. Peirce, Larry Bays and James Lundeen in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 2006
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    DemocraticGreen check mark transparent.pngTed Strickland/Lee Fisher60.5%2,435,505
    Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell/Tom Raga36.6%1,474,331
    Non-Partisan William S. Peirce1.8%71,473
    Non-Partisan Robert Fitrakis1%40,967
    Write-In James Lundeen0%579
    Write-In Larry Bays0%73
Total Votes4,022,928
Election results viaOhio Secretary of State.

2002

On November 5, 2002, Bob Taft won re-election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio. He defeated Timothy Hagan, John Eastman, James Whitman and Eva Braiman in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 2002
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngBob TaftIncumbent57.8%1,865,007
    Democratic Timothy Hagan38.3%1,236,924
    Independent John Eastman3.9%126,686
    Write-In James Whitman0%291
    Write-In Eva Braiman0%84
Total Votes3,228,992
Election results viaOhio Secretary of State.

1998

On November, 1998, these were the top two finishers in the gubernatorial race, Bob Taft won election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio. He defeated Lee Fisher in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 1998
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngBob Taft52.8%1,678,721
    Democratic Lee Fisher47.2%1,498,956
Total Votes3,177,677
Election results viaSun News, Cleveland.

1994

On November, 1994, these were the top two finishers in the gubernatorial race, George Voinovich won re-election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio. He defeated Robert Burch in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 1994
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngGeorge VoinovichIncumbent74.2%2,401,572
    Democratic Robert Burch25.8%835,849
Total Votes3,237,421
Election results viaSun News, Cleveland.

1990

On November, 1990, these were the top two finishers in the gubernatorial race, George Voinovich won election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio. He defeated Anthony Celebrezze in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 1990
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngGeorge Voinovich55.7%1,938,103
    Democratic Anthony Celebrezze44.3%1,539,416
Total Votes3,477,519
Election results viaSun News, Cleveland.

1986

On November, 1986, these were the top two finishers in the gubernatorial race, Richard Celeste won re-election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio. He defeated James Rhodes in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 1986
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    DemocraticGreen check mark transparent.pngRichard CelesteIncumbent60.6%1,858,372
    Republican James Rhodes39.4%1,207,264
Total Votes3,065,636
Election results viaSun News, Cleveland.

1982

On November, 1982, these were the top two finishers in the gubernatorial race, Richard Celeste won re-election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio. He defeated Clarence Brown in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 1982
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    DemocraticGreen check mark transparent.pngRichard Celeste60.3%1,981,882
    Republican Clarence BrownIncumbent39.7%1,303,962
Total Votes3,285,844
Election results viaSun News, Cleveland.

1978

On November, 1978, these were the top two finishers in the gubernatorial race, James Rhodes won election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio. He defeated Richard Celeste in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 1978
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJames RhodesIncumbent50.9%1,402,167
    Democratic Richard Celeste49.1%1,354,631
Total Votes2,756,798
Election results viaSun News, Cleveland.

1974

On November, 1974, these were the top two finishers in the gubernatorial race, James Rhodes won re-election to the office of Governor of Ohio. He defeated John Gilligan in the general election.

Governor of Ohio, 1974
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJames Rhodes50.2%1,493,679
    Democratic John GilliganIncumbent49.8%1,482,191
Total Votes2,975,870
Election results viaSun News, Cleveland.


Duties

Ohio

The governor is the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces (§ 10). Thegovernor has a duty to enforce state laws; the power to either approve or veto bills passed by theOhio State Legislature; the power to convene the legislature; and the power to grant pardons, except in cases of treason and impeachment (§ 11).[4]

Other duties and privileges of the office include:[4]

  • Executing all laws and requiring written information on any office from the head of that office (§ 6)
  • Making an annual address to theGeneral Assembly, with recommendation for legislation (§ 7)
  • Convening extraordinary sessions of the legislature with limited purposes (§ 8)
  • Adjourning the legislature when the two chambers cannot agree to do so themselves, not to include the privilege of adjourning the legislature past thesine die set for the regular session (§ 9)
  • Keeping and using "The Great Seal of the State of Ohio" (§ 12)
  • Signing and sealing all commissions granted in the name of the state of Ohio (§ 13)
  • Nominating, in the event of a vacancy in the Lieutenant Governor's office, a new officer, subject to a confirmatory vote of both chambers of the legislature (§ 17a)
  • Making vacancy appointments for all "key state officers" (theAuditor, theTreasurer, theSecretary of State, and theAttorney General). Such appointments are for the remainder of the term when the next general election is less than 40 days away and until the next general election otherwise (§ 18)
  • Accepting a report from the head of each executive department at least once a year, not later than five days before the regular session of the legislature convenes, and including the substance of those reports in his or her annual address to the legislature (§ 20)
  • Making all appointments not otherwise provided for, with the advice and consent of the Senate, unless the Senate refuses to act, in which case the Governor's appointee takes offices by default (§ 21)

Divisions

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Governor of Ohio has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

State budget

Role in state budget

See also:Ohio state budget and finances

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[6]

  1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inJuly of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
  2. State agencies submit their requests to thegovernor betweenSeptember and October.
  3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inFebruary (the deadline is extended toMarch 15 for a newly elected governor).
  4. The legislature typically adopts a budget inJune. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium beginsJuly 1 of odd-numbered years.

Ohio is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.[6][7]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[6]

Governor's office budget

The budget for the governor's office in Fiscal Year 2025 was $3,881,798.[8]

Compensation

See also:Comparison of gubernatorial salaries andCompensation of state executive officers

As established inArticle III, Section 19 of the Ohio Constitution, the governor's annual salary is legally fixed and may not be raised or decreased effective during the current term. The governor's salary is set by Title 1, Chapter 141 of theOhio Revised Code.[9]

2023

In 2023, the officer's salary was $171,059, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]

2022

In 2022, the officer's salary was $168,106, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]

2021

In 2021, the governor received a salary of $164,590, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]

2020

In 2020, the governor’s salary was $159,182, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]

2019

In 2019, the governor’s salary was $153,650, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]

2018

In 2018, the governor’s salary was $148,886, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]

2017

In 2017, the governor’s salary was $148,304, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[16]

2016

In 2016, the governor’s salary was decreased to $148,304, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[17]

2015

In 2015, the governor received a salary of $148,886, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[18]

2014

In 2014, the governor received a salary of $148,886, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[19]

2013

In 2013, the governor's salary remained at $148,886.[20]

2010

In 2010, the governor was paid $144,269 a year, the 14th highest gubernatorial salary in America.[21]

Historical officeholders

There have been 70 governors of Ohio since 1803. Of the 70 officeholders, 28 were Republican, 23 were Democratic, 10 were Democratic-Republican, five were Whig, three were Union, and one was a National Republican.[22]

List of officeholders from 1803-present
#NameTenureParty
1Edward Tiffin1803 - 1807Democratic-Republican
2Thomas Kirker1807 - 1808Democratic-Republican
3Samuel Huntington1808 - 1810Democratic-Republican
4Return Jonathan Meigs1810 - 1814Democratic-Republican
5Othneil Looker1814 - 1814Democratic-Republican
6Thomas Worthington1814 - 1818Democratic-Republican
7Ethan Allen Brown1818 - 1822Democratic-Republican
8Allen Trimble1822 - 1822Democratic-Republican
9Jeremiah Morrow1822 - 1826Democratic-Republican
10Allen Trimble1826 – 1830Democratic-Republican
11Duncan McArthur1830 - 1832National Republican
12Robert Lucas1832 - 1836Electiondot.pngDemocratic
13Joseph Vance1836 - 1838Whig
14Wilson Shannon1838 - 1840Electiondot.pngDemocratic
15Thomas Corwin1840 - 1842Whig
16Wilson Shannon1842 – 1844Electiondot.pngDemocratic
17Thomas Welles Bartley1844 - 1844Electiondot.pngDemocratic
18Mordecai Bartley1844 - 1846Whig
19William Bebb1846 - 1849Whig
20Seabury Ford1849 - 1850Whig
21Reuben Wood1850 - 1853Electiondot.pngDemocratic
22William Medill1853 - 1856Electiondot.pngDemocratic
23Salmon Portland Chase1856 - 1860Ends.pngRepublican
24William Dennison1860 - 1862Ends.pngRepublican
25David Tod1862 - 1864Union
26John Brough1864 - 1865Union
27Charles Anderson1865 - 1866Union
28Jacob Dolson Cox1866 - 1868Ends.pngRepublican
29Rutherford Birchard Hayes1868 - 1872Ends.pngRepublican
30Edward Follansbee Noyes1872 - 1874Ends.pngRepublican
31William Allen1874 - 1876Electiondot.pngDemocratic
32Rutherford Birchard Hayes1876 – 1877Ends.pngRepublican
33Thomas L. Young1877 - 1878Ends.pngRepublican
34Richard Moore Bishop1878 - 1880Electiondot.pngDemocratic
35Charles Foster1880 - 1884Ends.pngRepublican
36George Hoadly1884 - 1886Electiondot.pngDemocratic
37Joseph Benson Foraker1886 - 1890Ends.pngRepublican
38James Edwin Campbell1890 - 1892Electiondot.pngDemocratic
39William McKinley1892 - 1896Ends.pngRepublican
40Asa Smith Bushnell1896 - 1900Ends.pngRepublican
41George Kilbon Nash1900 - 1904Ends.pngRepublican
42Myron Timothy Herrick1904 - 1906Ends.pngRepublican
43John M. Pattison1906 - 1906Electiondot.pngDemocratic
44Andrew L. Harris1906 - 1909Ends.pngRepublican
45Judson Harmon1909 - 1913Electiondot.pngDemocratic
46James Middleton Cox1913 - 1915Electiondot.pngDemocratic
47Frank Bartlett Willis1915 - 1917Ends.pngRepublican
48James Middleton Cox1917 – 1921Electiondot.pngDemocratic
49Harry L. Davis1921 - 1923Ends.pngRepublican
50Alvin Victor Donahey1923 - 1929Electiondot.pngDemocratic
51Myers Young Cooper1929 - 1931Ends.pngRepublican
52George White1931 - 1935Electiondot.pngDemocratic
53Martin Luther Davey1935 - 1939Electiondot.pngDemocratic
54John William Bricker1939 - 1945Ends.pngRepublican
55Frank John Lausche1945 - 1947Electiondot.pngDemocratic
56Thomas J. Herbert1947 - 1949Ends.pngRepublican
57Frank John Lausche1949 – 1957Electiondot.pngDemocratic
58John William Brown1957 - 1957Ends.pngRepublican
59Crane William O'Neill1957 - 1959Ends.pngRepublican
60Michael Vincent DiSalle1959 - 1963Electiondot.pngDemocratic
61James Allen Rhodes1963 - 1971Ends.pngRepublican
62John Joyce Gilligan1971 - 1975Electiondot.pngDemocratic
63James Allen Rhodes1975 – 1983Ends.pngRepublican
64Richard F. Celeste1983 - 1991Electiondot.pngDemocratic
65George V. Voinovich1991 - 1998Ends.pngRepublican
66Nancy P. Hollister1998 - 1999Ends.pngRepublican
67Bob Taft1999 - 2007Ends.pngRepublican
68Ted Strickland2007 - 2011Electiondot.pngDemocratic
69John Kasich2011 – 2019Ends.pngRepublican
70Mike DeWine2019 – presentEnds.pngRepublican

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

Who Runs the States Project
See also:Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States andBallotpedia:Who Runs the States, Ohio
Partisan breakdown of the Ohio governorship from 1992-2013

From 1992-2013, in Ohio there were Democratic governors in office for four years while there were Republican governors in office for 18 years, including the last three. Ohio is one of eight states that were run by a Republican governor for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Ohio was under Republicantrifectas for the last three years of the study period.

Across the country, there were 493 years of Democratic governors (44.82%) and 586 years of Republican governors (53.27%) from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Ohio, theOhio State Senate and theOhio House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Partisan composition of Ohio state government(1992-2013).PNG

SQLI and partisanship

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Ohio state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Ohio had Republican trifectas during most of the years of the study, from 1995-2006 and from 2011-2013. The state's highest SQLI ranking, finishing 20th, occurred in 1997 during a Republican trifecta. Its lowest ranking, finishing 38th, occurred from 2008-2010 during a divided government.

Chart displaying the partisanship of Ohio government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

State profile

Demographic data for Ohio
 OhioU.S.
Total population:11,605,090316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):40,8613,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:82.4%73.6%
Black/African American:12.2%12.6%
Asian:1.9%5.1%
Native American:0.2%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.5%3%
Hispanic/Latino:3.4%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:89.1%86.7%
College graduation rate:26.1%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$49,429$53,889
Persons below poverty level:19.6%11.3%
Source:U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Clickhere for more information on the 2020 census andhere for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Ohio.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the censushere.

Presidential voting pattern

See also:Presidential voting trends in Ohio

Ohiovoted Republican in five out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted forDonald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting forBarack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won thesePivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, nine are located in Ohio, accounting for 4.37 percent of the total pivot counties.[23]

Pivot Counties (2020)

In2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won asRetained Pivot Counties and those won byJoe Biden (D) asBoomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Ohio had eight Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 4.42 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.

More Ohio coverage on Ballotpedia

Contact information

Governor's Office
Riffe Center, 30th Floor
77 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215-6108
Phone:614-466-3555
Fax:614-466-9354

See also

OhioState Executive ElectionsNews and Analysis
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Ohio State Executive Offices
Ohio State Legislature
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Governor of Ohio, " Homepage," accessed January 18, 2021
  2. Ballotpedia, "States with gubernatorial term limits," accessed January 18, 2021
  3. Ballotpedia, "Ohio Gubernatorial Term Limits Amendment 1 (1954)," accessed January 18, 2021
  4. 4.04.14.24.34.44.5The Ohio Legislature, "Ohio Constitution," accessed January 18, 2021
  5. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2019: Table 4.2 -- The Governors: Qualifications for Office," accessed January 18, 2021
  6. 6.06.16.2National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
  7. National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
  8. The Ohio Legislature, "Amended Substitute House Bill 33," accessed December 6, 2023
  9. LAWriter Ohio Laws and Rules, "Ohio Revised Code Title 1, Chapter 141: Salaries of State Officers," accessed January 18, 2021
  10. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
  11. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
  12. Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
  13. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 18, 2021
  14. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 18, 2021
  15. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 18, 2021
  16. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 18, 2021
  17. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 18, 2021
  18. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 18, 2021
  19. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 18, 2021
  20. Council of State Governments, "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries," June 25, 2013
  21. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 18, 2021
  22. National Governors Association, "Former Ohio Governors," accessed January 18, 2021
  23. The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip ofAtlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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