The 2022 Ohio gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Ohio. Incumbent Republican Governor Mike DeWine won a second term in a landslide, defeating Democratic nominee Nan Whaley, the former mayor of Dayton, with 62.4% of the vote. DeWine's 25-point victory marked the continuation of a trend in which every incumbent Republican governor of Ohio since 1994 has won re-election by a double-digit margin.

This was the first time since 1994 in which Trumbull and Mahoning counties have gone to the Republican candidate with over 60% of the vote. Hamilton County also voted Republican in a statewide election for the first time since Ohio's 2016 United States Senate election, which incumbent Republican Rob Portman also won by over 20 points and nearly 60% of the vote.

Republican primary

Incumbent governor Mike DeWine faced backlash from Republicans due to having implemented strict COVID-19 restrictions, such as a statewide stay at home order and mask mandates. Due to this, on April 30, 2021, farmer Joe Blystone became the first candidate to announce a primary challenge to DeWine. On June 9, former U.S. representative Jim Renacci also announced a run, later being followed up by former state representative Ron Hood. As a result, DeWine became the first incumbent Ohio governor to face a primary challenger since Jim Rhodes in 1978 and the first to have multiple challengers since Michael Disalle in 1962. Initial polling showed Renacci in the lead; however, his lead soon evaporated, as DeWine attempted to appeal to conservatives angry with his COVID-19 response by attacking President Joe Biden's policies and signing constitutional carry into law, allowing permitless carry of firearms. Incumbent governors rarely ever lose their primaries. Ultimately, DeWine prevailed in the primary election on May 3; however, he only won with a plurality of the vote, which suggests that he could have lost had his opponents not split the vote.

Candidates Nominated Mike DeWine, incumbent governor of Ohio (2019–present), 50th attorney general of Ohio (2011–2019), former U.S. senator from Ohio (1995–2007), 59th lieutenant governor of Ohio, and former U.S. representative for Ohio's 7th congressional district (1983–1991) Running mate: Jon Husted, incumbent lieutenant governor of Ohio (2019–present)

Eliminated in primary Joe Blystone, farmer Running mate: Jeremiah Workman, Iraq War veteran; Restaurateur Joanna Swallen, Blystone's original running mate, withdrew Ron Hood, former state representative from the 78th District (2013–2020), 91st District (2005–2006), 57th District (1995–2000), and candidate for OH-15 in 2021 Running mate: Candice Keller, former state representative from the 53rd District (2016–2020) Jim Renacci, former U.S. representative for (2011–2019) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 Running mate: Joe Knopp, Christian film producer

Declined Warren Davidson, U.S. representative for (2016–present) (ran for re-election) Jon Husted, lieutenant governor of Ohio (2019–present) (ran for re-election) Jim Jordan, U.S. representative for (2007–present) (ran for re-election) Josh Mandel, former Ohio state treasurer (2011–2019), nominee for U.S. Senate in 2012, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018 (ran for U.S. Senate) Dave Yost, Attorney General of Ohio (2019–present) and former Ohio state auditor (2011–2019) (ran for re-election)

Endorsements

Polling Graphical summary

Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated JoeBlystone MikeDeWine JimRenacci OtherMarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsFebruary 25 – May 1, 2022May 2, 202216.5%48.0%31.0%4.5%DeWine +17.0 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JoeBlystone MikeDeWine RonHood JimRenacci Other UndecidedThe Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)April 29 – May 1, 20221,081 (LV)± 3.0%19%47%2%27%–5%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeApril 28–29, 2022885 (LV)± 3.2%12%45%2%30%–12%Fox NewsFox NewsApril 20–24, 2022906 (LV)± 3.0%19%43%–24%1%12%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)April 13–14, 20221,078 (LV)± 3.0%24%40%2%26%–10%University of AkronUniversity of AkronFebruary 17 – March 15, 2022– (LV)––51%–23%10%17%Fox NewsFox NewsMarch 2–6, 2022918 (LV)± 3.0%21%50%–18%<1%10%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeFebruary 25–26, 2022410 (LV)± 4.8%20%34%0%9%–36%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)February 1–4, 20221,066 (LV)± 3.0%20%41%–23%–16%Public Policy Polling (D)January 25–26, 2022626 (LV)± 3.9%–38%–33%–29%Fabrizio Lee (R)Fabrizio Lee (R)January 11–13, 2022800 (LV)± 3.5%–38%–46%–16%Fabrizio Lee (R)Fabrizio Lee (R)May 2021600 (LV)± 4.0%–34%–42%–24%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates Nominated Nan Whaley, former mayor of Dayton (2014–2022) and candidate in 2018 Running mate: Cheryl Stephens, Cuyahoga County Council vice president

Eliminated in primary John Cranley, former mayor of Cincinnati (2013–2022) and nominee for OH-01 in 2000 and 2006 Running mate: Teresa Fedor, state senator from Ohio's 11th senatorial district

Withdrawn Ted Williams, voice-over artist

Declined Tim Ryan, U.S. representative for (2003–2023) and candidate for U.S. President in 2020 (ran for U.S. Senate) Emilia Sykes, Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives (2019–2021) and state representative (2015–2023) (successfully ran for Rep of the U.S. House in Ohio's 13th congressional district)

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JohnCranley NanWhaley Other UndecidedUniversity of AkronFebruary 17 – March 15, 2022– (LV)–18%23%6%54%Emerson CollegeFebruary 25–26, 2022313 (LV)± 5.5%16%16%–69%Clarity Campaign Labs (D)Clarity Campaign Labs (D) January 17–19, 2022670 (LV)± 3.8%20%33%–48%

Results

Independents Disqualified F. Patrick Cunnane Running mate: Mary Cunnane Niel Petersen, pastor Running mate: Michael V Stewart

Write-in candidates Declared Timothy Grady, college student Running mate: Dayna Bickley Craig Patton Running mate: Collin Cook Renea Turner Running mate: Adina Pelletier Marshall Usher Running mate: Shannon Walker

Endorsements

General election Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report September 29, 2022Inside Elections July 22, 2022 Sabato's Crystal Ball June 2, 2022PoliticoNovember 3, 2022 RCPOctober 20, 2022Fox News May 12, 2022538July 31, 2022Elections DailyNovember 7, 2022

Post-primary endorsements

Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated MikeDeWine (R) NanWhaley (D) UndecidedMarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsOctober 7–22, 2022October 25, 202255.8%37.5%6.7%DeWine +18.3FiveThirtyEightFiveThirtyEightAugust 16 – October 25, 2022October 25, 202255.5%36.1%8.4%DeWine +19.3Average55.6%36.8%7.6%DeWine +18.8 Graphical summary

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeDeWine (R) NanWhaley (D) Other UndecidedCiviqsCiviqsNovember 4–7, 2022716 (LV)± 4.1%53%39%6%2%Research Co.Research Co.November 4–6, 2022450 (LV)± 4.6%57%37%–6%Targoz Market ResearchTargoz Market ResearchNovember 2–6, 2022505 (LV)± 4.3%62%32%5%–The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)November 3–5, 20221,123 (LV)± 2.9%59%34%–8%Data for Progress (D)Data for Progress (D)November 2–5, 20221,413 (LV)± 3.0%62%38%––Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)November 1–3, 20221,498 (LV)± 2.5%56%37%–7%Remington Research Group (R)Remington Research Group (R)November 1–2, 20221,125 (LV)± 2.8%58%35%–7%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeOctober 30 – November 1, 20221,000 (LV)± 3.0%55%34%5%7%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)October 29 – November 1, 20221,520 (LV)± 2.5%56%36%–8%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)October 26–30, 20221,510 (LV)± 2.5%56%36%–9%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)October 24–28, 20221,776 (LV)± 2.3%56%35%–9%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)October 22–26, 20221,817 (LV)± 2.3%56%35%–9%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)October 20–24, 20221,886 (LV)± 2.3%55%37%–8%Baldwin Wallace UniversityBaldwin Wallace UniversityOctober 20–23, 20221,068 (LV)± 3.5%57%40%–3%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)October 18–22, 20221,547 (LV)± 2.5%55%37%–8%Marist CollegeMarist CollegeOctober 17–20, 20221,141 (RV)± 3.9%53%40%1%6%942 (LV)± 4.3%54%41%1%3%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)October 16–20, 20221,540 (LV)± 2.5%55%37%–8%Siena CollegeSiena CollegeOctober 14–19, 2022644 (LV)± 5.1%58%34%3%6%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)October 14–18, 20221,438 (LV)± 2.6%56%35%–9%Ohio Northern University/LucidOhio Northern University/LucidOctober 11–15, 2022668 (LV)± 3.8%60%29%1%10%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk UniversityOctober 11–15, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%56%38%1%5%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)October 10–12, 20221,081 (LV)± 2.9%55%37%–8%Data for Progress (D)Data for Progress (D)October 7–12, 20221,016 (LV)± 3.0%57%38%–5%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)October 6–8, 2022640 (LV)–57%35%–8%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeOctober 6–7, 20221,000 (LV)± 3.0%50%36%6%8%Siena CollegeSiena CollegeSeptember 18–22, 2022642 (LV)± 4.4%55%32%3%10%Baldwin Wallace UniversityBaldwin Wallace UniversitySeptember 12–15, 2022855 (LV)± 4.1%57%39%–4%Marist CollegeMarist CollegeSeptember 12–15, 20221,200 (RV)± 3.6%55%37%–8%1,009 (LV)± 3.9%55%39%–6%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeSeptember 10–13, 20221000 (LV)± 3%50%33%5%12%CiviqsCiviqsSeptember 10–13, 2022780 (LV)± 4%44%41%10%5%Fallon ResearchFallon ResearchSeptember 6–11, 2022500 (RV)± 4.3%49%37%–14%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk UniversitySeptember 5–7, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%54%39%–7%Echelon InsightsEchelon InsightsAugust 31 – September 7, 2022831 (LV)± 4.3%54%35%–11%Survey Monkey (D)Survey Monkey (D)August 31 – September 2, 2022987 (RV)± 3.0%52%31%–17%519 (LV)± 3.0%53%37%–10%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)August 16–19, 20221,087 (LV)± 2.9%54%38%–8%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeAugust 15–16, 2022925 (LV)± 3.2%49%33%8%11%Lake Research Partners (D)Lake Research Partners (D)August 4–9, 2022600 (LV)± 4.0%44%43%8%5%Lake Research Partners (D)Lake Research Partners (D)August 3–9, 2022600 (LV)± 4.0%44%43%7%6%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk UniversityMay 22–24, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%45%30%11%13%Redfield & Wilton StrategiesRedfield & Wilton StrategiesAugust 20–24, 20211,200 (RV)± 2.8%44%25%10%16%1,160 (LV)± 2.9%46%27%11%16%

Mike DeWine vs. John Cranley Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeDeWine (R) JohnCranley (D) Other UndecidedRedfield & Wilton StrategiesAugust 20–24, 20211,200 (RV)± 2.8%44%24%10%16%1,160 (LV)± 2.9%47%25%11%15%

Results

According to a survey conducted by NORC for Fox News and the Associated Press, most white people (68% to 32%), Latinos (64% to 33%), and other minorities (60% to 36%) voted for DeWine, while most African Americans voted for Whaley (73% to 27%).

By county