Ohio's political landscape is heating up as the state prepares for the 2026 gubernatorial race. Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy officially launched his campaign for governor, receiving a swift endorsement from President Trump[6]. This development sets the stage for a competitive Republican primary, with Attorney General Dave Yost also in the running.

In economic news, Ohio achieved a No. 3 ranking nationally for both total economic development projects and projects per capita in Site Selection's 2025 Governor's Cup rankings[15]. The state secured nearly 600 completed deals in 2024, amounting to $20 billion in capital investment. This success spans across Ohio's communities, with twenty Ohio cities ranking among Site Selection's top 100.

Governor Mike DeWine announced the approval of a state tax incentive to support Anduril Industries' advanced manufacturing facility in Pickaway County[19]. This project, set to be the largest single job creation and new payroll project in Ohio's history, is expected to employ 4,000 production and service workers by 2035 and generate $1 billion in state labor income.

On the legislative front, several new laws are taking effect in 2025. These include the "Religious Expression Days" Act, allowing students to be absent for up to three days each school year for religious reasons, and a controversial ban on transgender students using school bathrooms that align with their gender identities[10]. Additionally, Ohio's minimum wage increased on January 1st to $10.70 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.35 for tipped employees.

Recent protests have erupted across Ohio, with demonstrators expressing opposition to various policies of the Trump administration and other Republican leadership[5]. The protests, organized by the 50501 Movement, touched on issues ranging from diversity and inclusion to foreign policy.

Looking ahead, Ohio's business community is focusing on economic development priorities for 2025[11], while political analysts are watching closely as the state's role in the 2026 elections begins to take shape. The implementation of new laws and their impact on various communities will likely continue to be a source of debate and potential legal challenges in the coming months.