In Columbus, Ohio, Heather Hill finds herself often haunted by the memories of her two foster children who were fatally shot by police, waking her from sleep once or twice each week. At 49, the Republican businesswoman from Appalachia has decided to channel these painful experiences into a political endeavor, announcing her candidacy for the Ohio governor’s race in 2026.
“It’s been overwhelming,” Hill mentioned in a recent interview. Frustrated by attempts to engage with governors and senators to close certain gaps without success, she resolved, “You know what? I’m going to do something. I’m going to run for governor.” Hill feels that her unique perspective as a rural Black Republican woman—who has the uncommon experience of having fostered a boy and a girl each involved in separate police shootings—sets her apart from her competitors.
Since launching her campaign in November, Hill has observed other candidates with more wealth and prominence scramble for advantageous positions in the race. Initially, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted was the favorite, but he exited the race for a U.S. Senate role. Following this, Dave Yost, the state’s two-term Attorney General, entered the contest. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency, also recently joined the fray, while speculation continues about Jim Tressel, the former championship-winning Ohio State Buckeyes football coach, possibly running as well.
Meanwhile, Dr. Amy Acton, recognized for guiding Ohio through initial COVID-19 challenges, enters the race as a Democrat. Hill remains undeterred by these developments. Having lost two foster children at ages 20 and 21, she describes the devastation as akin to any other mother’s grief. Nonetheless, Hill sees it as a chance to foster understanding between law enforcement—a sector she supports—and young people with mental health issues.
Hill also believes her conservative, pro-gun, and pro-family stance will resonate with the state’s Republican base. “I am the best answer for unity within the state of Ohio,” she explained, emphasizing her strong conservative values alongside her identity as a person of color to bridge the divides.
Previously, Hill served one term as president of the Morgan Local school board and held leadership roles at the Ohio School Boards Association and the Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission. She and her husband, Darrin, manage a 100-acre farm in Malta, Morgan County, and have a diverse family history, including fostering numerous children over two decades.
Challenges with conception led Hill to understand the importance of certain medical procedures, such as D&Cs, associated with fertility and surgical abortion, while supporting IVF. Despite her personal opposition to abortion, Hill respects the 2023 amendment that safeguarded the procedure in Ohio’s constitution and vowed not to contest that outcome.
As dedicated hunters and gun rights proponents, the Hills own the Ohio Hunting Lodge among other ventures. They also run a marketing firm and a real estate business aimed at aiding low-income housing access. While she doesn’t agree with every stance of Ohio’s current governor, Hill appreciates his contributions and believes he has attempted to uplift the state. “I know it’s not perfect and I have a lot of work to do,” she stated, “but he’s built a great foundation for me to build from.”
