Jim Tressel, a former football coach at Ohio State, was named lieutenant governor by Republican Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio on Monday morning.
Tressel will succeed former Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, whom DeWine appointed to the U.S. Senate last month, if the Ohio House and Senate confirm him.
According to a statement from DeWine, Jim Tressel is a born leader who understands Ohio and shares its values.
Before retiring in 2023, Tressel most recently held the position of president at Youngstown State University. Prior to spending ten seasons as the head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Tressel previously coached the football team at Youngstown State University for fifteen years.
DeWine stated that he asked Tressel to assume the position of lieutenant governor in large part because of his experience in economic development, workforce development, and education.
“During the remaining two years of my administration, Jim will be directly involved with education and workforce development. He has a lot of experience working with and leading young people,” DeWine stated.
Tressel referred to it as a moment of humility.
“I have faith in our governor and his principles,” Tressel remarked. I pledged to serve the governor’s outlined needs with a singleness of purpose and attention for the following 699 days.
Tressel’s selection coincides with the growing clarity surrounding Ohio’s 2026 election scenario.
In an effort to put an end to rumors that he might run for governor next, Republican Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague said last week that he would run for Ohio Secretary of State in 2026. He also threw his support behind Vivek Ramaswamy, who is a possible contender for governor of Ohio in 2026.
Sprague is running against Miami Township’s Niraj Antani, a former state senator from Ohio, in the primary for secretary of state. Theresa Gavarone, a Republican state senator from Bowling Green, is allegedly thinking about running for secretary of state. Bryan Hambley, an oncologist from Warren County, has declared his intention to run for the Democratic Party.
Current Republican Ohio Auditor Keith Faber has declared his intention to run for Ohio attorney general, and current Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has declared his intention to run for Ohio auditor in 2026. As of right now, there are no Democratic contenders for the 2026 Ohio attorney general or auditor positions.
Dave Yost, the Republican attorney general of Ohio at the moment, plans to run for governor of Ohio in 2026. It is generally anticipated that Ramaswamy will declare his intention to run for governor of Ohio shortly.
Tressel will naturally have the political opportunity to choose whether to run for governor himself if he is confirmed as lieutenant governor.
The sole Democratic contender to yet to announce her intention to run for Ohio governor in 2026 is Dr. Amy Acton, the former director of the Ohio Health Department.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.