Ohio Candidates File For May Primary

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has officially released the list of partisan candidates who submitted petitions to run for office in the May 5, 2026 primary election, providing a first look at who might eventually qualify for the ballot.

Governor DeWine and his fellow statewide officeholders are all term-limited this year, meaning we'll see new officeholders in those positions next year, though many of the candidates will be familiar as current officeholders. All 99-seats in the Ohio House are on the ballot, as well as 17 seats in the Ohio Senate. Two Ohio Supreme Court justices will be trying to retain their seats, including the state's only statewide elected Democrat, Justice Jennifer Brunner. U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R) has to run for his appointed seat, and the 15 U.S. House members are running as well.