Polling Average
15%10%5%0%
11%
10%
Republican
Jim Tressell
Republican
Jim Tressell
Ohio Republican Governor nominee?
$1.4M
MAY 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleLieutenant Governor
PartyRepublican
Age73 years old (Dec 5, 1952)
GenderMale
LocationOhio
Show moreShow less
BackgroundFootball coach
EducationBaldwin–Wallace College — B.S. in Education (1975)
Notable personal detailsJames Patrick "Jim" Tressel is an American college football coach and university administrator who later entered public service in Ohio state government. He was head football coach at Youngstown State University (1986–2000) and Ohio State University (2001–2010), winning a national championship at Ohio State and multiple national titles at Youngstown State. He served as the ninth president of Youngstown State University (2014–2023) and later worked at the University of Akron as vice president for strategic engagement. He became Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in 2025.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgohiomemory.orgysu.eduwikidata.orgakronroundtable.orgcfbhall.comimdb.comvindyarchives.comnndb.comfoxsports.comclevelandsportshall.comen-academic.comohiostatebuckeyes.comamericanpolitics.fandom.comamericanfootball.fandom.comboe.ohio.govsearch-prod.lis.state.oh.uss3.us-east-2.amazonaws.comapnews.comwcpo.comohiocapitaljournal.comjournal-news.com13abc.comthe-independent.comwosu.orgyahoo.comespn.comspectrumnews1.comohiocpa.comtribtoday.commariettatimes.comregionalchamber.comwcbe.orglatimes.compresidency.ucsb.edurichlandsource.comcongress.govpbs.orgcleveland.comdispatch.comohiogop.orgstatenews.orgcbsnews.comnews5cleveland.comreutersconnect.comwkyc.commahoningmatters.cominstagram.comfacebook.comabc6onyourside.comsignalohio.orgmattforohio.comlegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgcreativecommons.orgupload.wikimedia.orgvotesmart.orgapi.votesmart.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgwhitehouse.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Healthcare
Jim Tressel emphasizes preventive health through school-based fitness, nutrition, and sleep initiatives and frames improved population health as a way to reduce future state healthcare spending. He has not published detailed policy positions on insurance coverage, Medicaid, or federal healthcare programs in the sources found. Available statements focus on education and child health programs rather than explicit health-policy reforms.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate has not articulated a clear policy position on abortion beyond saying the law and voters' choices should be respected. Available public statements emphasize deference to existing law rather than advocating for a specific expansion or restriction of abortion access.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedFeb 11, 2026
A recent poll in Ohio found that a majority of voters disapprove of ICE tactics such as raids and the use of unmarked cars, despite the state backing Donald Trump in 2024. This sentiment could shape Republican strategies in upcoming elections and influence the political environment around candidates like Jim Tressell.
en.wikipedia.org+61
Polls
Ohio Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising