In Columbus, Ohio, Republican Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted has accumulated over $5 million in funds for a potential gubernatorial campaign in 2026, as per campaign finance reports filed on Wednesday. Husted received contributions amounting to $1.7 million between February 1 and July 31, setting a new fundraising record for this early stage of the campaign.
On the other hand, Republican Attorney General Dave Yost raised $354,000 during the same period, increasing his cash on hand to $1.5 million. Both Husted and Yost are gearing up to compete for Ohio’s top office in 2026 when the current GOP Governor Mike DeWine reaches his term limit.
Husted, aged 56, previously sought the governorship in 2018 while serving as Ohio’s secretary of state. However, he chose to join forces with DeWine, who was then the attorney general, during that campaign, combining their support and resources to win re-election in 2022.
Yost, a second-term attorney general and former state auditor, is also nearing term limits in 2026, when all top elective positions in the state will be up for election.
