In Ohio, the majority of Republican leaders have endorsed businessman Vivek Ramaswamy as the candidate for governor. However, Attorney General Dave Yost has publicly stated that he believes this endorsement was misguided. Yost, who has a long history of service within the Republican Party, had anticipated running for governor himself after the term of current Governor Mike DeWine. Instead, DeWine appointed former Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to the U.S. Senate, altering the expected political landscape.

Yost suspended his campaign shortly after the Ohio Republican Party's endorsement of Ramaswamy, which he had opposed due to concerns about Ramaswamy's qualifications. In a recent interview, Yost confirmed his belief that the party made a poor choice, noting that he had engaged in discussions with party members prior to the endorsement meeting, but they did not align with his views.

Despite his reservations, both Yost and DeWine have indicated they will support the eventual Republican nominee. DeWine has expressed a preference for allowing voters to determine the nominee rather than endorsing early, which he considers unusual given the typical competitive nature of primaries.

The Democratic frontrunner for the gubernatorial race is Amy Acton, who previously served as the state's health director during the COVID-19 pandemic. With other potential candidates opting out, the primary competition appears limited. Ramaswamy has claimed that the Republican Party is more united than ever, despite the lack of a primary challenge.

Yost has raised concerns about Acton's governance approach, suggesting it may not serve the best interests of Ohioans. As he reassesses his political future, Yost remains open to potential collaborations with other political figures in the state.