9.4 Getting Elected

Getting elected as the governor of Ohio involves several steps, including meeting eligibility requirements, running a campaign, winning a primary election, and then winning the general election.

First, to be eligible to run for governor in Ohio, a person must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Ohio. They must also be a U.S. citizen. That’s it. Those are the only legal requirements. Once they meet these basic requirements, they need to declare their candidacy, which involves filing the necessary paperwork with the Ohio Secretary of State and paying any required fees. This makes their intention to run for governor official.

Running a campaign is a significant part of getting elected. The candidate needs to gain support from voters, which often involves creating a campaign team, raising funds, and developing a campaign strategy. This includes making public appearances, participating in debates, and advertising their policies and plans for the state. For example, Mike DeWine, who is the current governor of Ohio, campaigned on issues like improving education, increasing job opportunities, and enhancing public safety.

The election process begins with the primary election, where candidates from the same political party compete against each other to become the party’s nominee. The winners of the primary elections from each party then face off in the general election. In Ohio, the general election is held in November during even-numbered years. To win, a candidate must receive the most votes from the citizens of Ohio. Once elected, the new governor takes an oath of office and begins serving a four-year term, during which they will work on implementing their policies and managing the state’s executive branch.

Over the last few decades, Ohio governors have commonly shared several characteristics, notably a strong background in law and politics, with many having previously served in roles such as state attorney general or U.S. congressman. These governors have predominantly been white males, reflecting a lack of gender and racial diversity in the state’s highest executive office. This trend underscores broader patterns of political representation where minority groups and women have historically been underrepresented in high-ranking political positions.