Ohio 2026 General Election Results
Ohio voters set up divided government in Columbus. Democrats won the races for Governor and U.S. Senate, and unofficial results show Democratic candidates ahead in 3 of the 4 other statewide offices and in both Ohio Supreme Court races.
Republicans kept control of both chambers of the General Assembly: a 22–11 supermajority in the Senate and a 56–43 majority in the House. Democrats gained 9 House seats, leaving House Republicans below the 60 seats needed to override a veto without Democratic votes. Four Ohio House races fall within the automatic recount margin, so those seats may not be settled until the official canvass.
Democrats also gained 3 of Ohio’s U.S. House seats, shifting the delegation to 8–7.
Locally, voters rejected or placed limits on data center development in all 18 communities with questions on the ballot.
Below is the Roundtable's summary of the most consequential results pertaining to our organization's priorities.
ANALYSIS
Dr. Amy Acton will be the first woman elected governor of Ohio and the first Democrat to win the office since Ted Strickland, who served from 2007 to 2011. She will be sworn in on Monday, January 11.
ANALYSIS
Republicans will lead both chambers of the 137th General Assembly in January, but with less power. Senate Republicans hold 22 of 33 seats (down from 24), still above the 20 needed to override a veto. In the House, Democrats gained 9 seats, cutting the Republican majority from 65 to 56, short of the 60 needed.
With a Democratic governor, that matters. Overriding any veto, including line-item budget vetoes, takes three-fifths of each chamber. Starting in January, House Republicans will need at least four Democratic votes to do it. The first big test is likely Governor-elect Acton’s first budget (FY 2028–2029), which must be passed by June 30, 2027.
The four House races in recount range (HD 29, 37, 44 and 75) won’t change that: Republicans will end up with 53 to 57 seats. Until then, the current General Assembly and its 65-seat House majority meet through December.
ANALYSIS
While the anti-development message sent by all of these ballot issues is concerning, the Grove City outcome is especially significant. This measure applies to all development—not just data centers—and will halt economic development in that community. Other communities will take note and could pursue similar restrictive measures.
If the criteria of Grove City's charter amendment were applied to the entire state, it would eliminate 45% of JobsOhio's project pipeline dating back to 2021.
The Ohio Business Roundtable congratulates everyone elected and re-elected yesterday and looks forward to working with them. As communities across Ohio weigh data center development, the Roundtable will stay engaged to make the case for projects that bring investment and jobs to the state.
