COLUMBUS, Ohio — Frank LaRose, the Ohio Secretary of State, has announced his intention to pursue the role of state auditor in 2026, marking a notable shift in Ohio’s political landscape among its Republican leaders.

LaRose, a prominent figure in Ohio politics, is anticipated to reveal his plans publicly on Thursday. Having reached the term limit which bars him from running again as the state’s elections chief, LaRose previously competed for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate last year but was ultimately unsuccessful, losing in a three-way primary to Bernie Moreno, who has since gone on to defeat incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown in the subsequent election.

In a statement, LaRose expressed gratitude for the encouragement he has received from Ohioans, stating, “I’ve always answered the call of duty, and I’ve had a lot of encouragement from across Ohio to consider serving in this important office. They’ve asked me to build on what we’ve done in the secretary of state’s office, where we’ve made Ohio a national leader in election administration and economic development by focusing on the highest performance standards.” This commitment reflects his dedication to maintaining high levels of accountability and efficiency within Ohio’s governance.

At 45, LaRose joins the other Ohio officials who have reached their term limits. Notably, he is the last of Ohio’s five statewide executive officeholders to announce future political plans. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who is 78, has indicated he will not seek re-election after his current term ends in 2026. Meanwhile, Attorney General Dave Yost has declared his intention to run for DeWine’s position, and outgoing Ohio Auditor Keith Faber has set his sights on Yost’s job.

In a shift of his own, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague is aiming for LaRose’s position as Secretary of State. Sprague had previously considered a run for governor but changed his course on Wednesday, expressing his support for former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy if he enters the race, which is anticipated to kick off within this month. The movement among these political figures highlights an evolving landscape in Ohio’s Republican Party as they prepare for the upcoming elections.