'The Senator' Tressel becomes the Lt. Governor
Plus, Niraj Antani changes his statewide plans and the Ohio Senate passes a common-sense bill on higher education.
In a stunning turn of events this week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose (who declared his run for auditor in last week’s edition) endorsed businessman Vivek Ramaswamy in a stunning blow to Attorney General Dave Yost, both of whom are running for Governor.
I have to say, I am completely impartial at this point. Yost and Ramaswamy both have their positives and their faults, but if you would’ve told me two weeks ago that the statewide elected officials (LaRose and Sprague, so far) would abandon him, I would’ve laughed in your face.
Welcome to The Buckeye Beacon, I’m Josh Lickliter, founder of Excel Political Strategies.
Join myself, along with Dave Yost and Clark County Sheriff Chris Clark at the Clark County, Ohio GOP Lincoln Day Dinner next Friday, the 21st. Get your tickets and join us here!
Governor names his new Lieutenant
Governor Mike DeWine (R-Yellow Springs) announced this week that former Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel (R-Medina) has been inaugurated as interim Lieutenant Governor, replacing now-Senator Jon Husted (R-Upper Arlington). Tressel is most well-known for coaching Ohio State’s football team to one national championship, four Division I-AA championships, and nine wins against the Michigan football program, prior to serving as President of YSU. He is the 8-time National Coach of the Year. He also served as a major draw to a fundraiser for now-Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Westlake) during the 2024 cycle.
To all public opinion, as well as to state officials I spoke to off-the-record, this is a major shock. Unlike Jon Husted’s Senatorial appointment, that was rumored for a while before the actual appointment, very few if anyone mentioned Tressel’s name for consideration. I subscribed to the belief that Director of Development Lydia Mihalik (R-Findlay), and DeWine throwing someone in way out of left field (wrong sport, I know) is uncharacteristic, but I’m hopeful for this.
As President of Youngstown State, Tressel did not mandate masks to return to campus, but he appeared in a video with fellow OSU coach Urban Meyer encouraging mask wearing. I’m of the belief that actions (no mandates) is more important than words (the video).
I don’t see Tressel running for Governor, as I don’t see DeWine trying to appoint a successor two years before his (assumed) end in politics. Tressel is rumored to have declined the Senate appointment that Husted took, and one of DeWine’s criteria for that seat was being able to run and win in 2026.
Antani, Roegner run for Treasurer
Former State Senator Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) declared his run for Secretary of State three weeks ago, prior to Treasurer Robert Sprague (R-Findlay) shifting his campaign to that seat. Rather than challenge a current statewide official, Antani is moving from SOS to Treasurer, he announced in a series of statement on X today.
“It’s no surprise that just a day later last week the current Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who came in last place in the primary in last year’s U.S. Senate race, announced a campaign for State Auditor. The day after that Secretary LaRose and Treasurer Sprague endorsed each other, finalizing the 3 act play of the week. These copy-paste politicians are playing musical chairs with Ohio’s Constitutional executive offices. They’ll do whatever it takes to stay in power, no matter what. This is the political gamesmanship that Ohioans are tired of, and that I’ve stood against.” Former Sen. Niraj Antani
After this series, State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) has declared her run for the same office. I expect this to be one of two races with a decent primary, unless Antani changes races again.
SB1 passes the Ohio Senate
Senate Bill 1, introduced by Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), will ban DEI and require students to take American history courses, as well as more common sense reforms to Ohio education. According to Ohio Capital Journal, a left-wing ‘news’ source, “The bill stipulates classroom discussion allows students to ‘reach their own conclusions about all controversial beliefs or policies and shall not seek to indoctrinate any social, political, or religious point of view.”
The bill passed in a 21-11 vote, with all Democrats and two Republicans, Sen. Bill Blessing (R-Colerain Township) and Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) voting against. In the coming days, The Buckeye Beacon’s Phineas Kelly will have a write-up about the benefits of SB1 and how they will improve higher education, so make sure you’re subscribed to our email list to see that.
Current state of statewide races for 2026, with those currently holding statewide offices indicated with an *.
Governor
Dave Yost (R), Ohio Attorney General*
Vivek Ramaswamy (R), 2024 Presidential candidate (undeclared)
Heather Hill (R), Ohio MLK Holiday Commissioner
Amy Acton (D), former Director of the Ohio Department of Health
Secretary of State
Robert Sprague (R), Treasurer of State*
Bryan Hambley (D), Doctor from the Cincinnati area
Attorney General
Keith Faber (R), Auditor of State*
Auditor
Frank LaRose (R), Secretary of State*
Treasurer
Niraj Antani (R), former State Senator and candidate for Congress
Kristina Roegner (R), State Senator
We will keep this list published as changes happen, so you can keep up with all of the candidates and information you need to know here at The Buckeye Beacon.
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