2026 Ohio Secretary of State election

For related races, see 2026 United States secretary of state elections.

2026 Ohio Secretary of State election

←  2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Secretary of State Frank LaRose Republican

The 2026 Ohio Secretary of State election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the Secretary of State of Ohio. Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. He is running for State Auditor of Ohio. ^[1]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Robert Sprague, Ohio State Treasurer (2019–present) (previously ran for governor) ^[2]

Publicly expressed interest

• Theresa Gavarone, Majority Leader of the Ohio Senate (2025–present) from the 2nd district (2019–present) and candidate for Ohio's 9th congressional district in 2022 ^[3]

Withdrawn

• Niraj Antani, member of the Ohio Senate (2021–2024), member of the Ohio House of Representatives (2014–2020), and candidate for Ohio's 2nd congressional district in 2024 (running for state treasurer) ^[4]

Declined

• Jay Edwards, member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 94rd district (2017–2025) (running for state treasurer) ^[5]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Bryan Hambley, oncologist at UC Health ^[6]
• Allison Russo, former minority leader of the Ohio House of Representatives (2022–2025) and nominee for Ohio's 15th congressional district in 2021 ^[7]

References

1. Leigh, Harri (February 10, 2025). "Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announces bid for state auditor". Spectrum News . Retrieved February 12, 2025.
2. Balmert, Jessie; BeMiller, Haley (February 5, 2025). "Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague to run for secretary of state, backs Ramaswamy for governor". The Columbus Dispatch . Retrieved February 5, 2025.
3. Jackson, Tom (January 28, 2025). "Gavarone considers running for secretary of state". Review Times. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
4. Glynn, Erin (February 12, 2025). "Former Ohio Sen. Niraj Antani drops out of secretary of state race to run for treasurer". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
5. Pelzer, Jeremy (April 11, 2025). "Ex-lawmaker Jay Edwards enters crowded GOP primary for Ohio Treasurer in 2026". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
6. Wilkinson, Howard (January 8, 2025). "Ohio has its first 2026 Democratic candidate for Secretary of State". Ideastream . Retrieved February 1, 2025.
7. Petcash, Doug (August 21, 2025). "State Rep. Allison Russo announces bid for Ohio Secretary of State". WBNS-TV . Retrieved August 21, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Bryan Hambley (D) for Secretary of State
• Allison Russo (D) for Secretary of State
• Robert Sprague (R) for Secretary of State
• Marcell Strbich (R) for Secretary of State