Who could be Ohio's next governor?

All eyes are currently on the 2024 election, but some Ohio Democrats at the Chicago convention are positioning themselves for 2026 , when every statewide executive office, including governor, will be open.

Democrats face an uphill battle in a state that has not elected a Democrat for governor in 20 years , when Ted Strickland won in 2006.

Among the names mentioned for a 2026 run are the mayors of the state’s three largest cities: Cincinnati’s Aftab Pureval , Columbus’ Andy Ginther and Cleveland’s Justin Bibb . Also getting attention is Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo of Upper Arlington, former U.S. Rep. and 2022 Senate candidate Tim Ryan and former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton , who helped lead the state through the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Ohio Bureau reporter Jessie Balmert is in Chicago at the convention and spent time with some of the likely 2026 contenders .

Click or tap here to see what she found out.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who could be Ohio's next governor?