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

Former U.S. representative Jim Renacci challenged DeWine in the 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

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Endorsements

Local officials

Individuals

Labor unions

Organizations

State representatives

  • John Becker, former state representative from the 65th district (2013–2020)
  • Jennifer Gross, state representative from the 52nd district (2021–present)
  • Ron Maag, former state representative from the 62nd district (2013–2016) and the 35th district (2009–2013)
  • Seth Morgan, former state representative from the 36th district (2009–2011)
  • Nino Vitale, state representative from the 85th district (2015–present)
  • Scott Wiggam, state representative from the 1st district (2017–present)

Local officials

Individuals

Organizations

Organizations

Polling

Graphical summary

Source of poll aggregationDates administeredDates updatedJoe BlystoneMike DeWineJim RenacciOtherMargin
Real Clear PoliticsFebruary 25 – May 1, 2022May 2, 202216.5%48.0%31.0%4.5%DeWine +17.0
Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorJoe BlystoneMike DeWineRon HoodJim RenacciOtherUndecided
The Trafalgar Group (R)April 29 – May 1, 20221,081 (LV)± 3.0%19%47%2%27%–5%
Emerson CollegeApril 28–29, 2022885 (LV)± 3.2%12%45%2%30%–12%
Fox NewsApril 20–24, 2022906 (LV)± 3.0%19%43%–24%1%12%
The Trafalgar Group (R)April 13–14, 20221,078 (LV)± 3.0%24%40%2%26%–10%
University of AkronFebruary 17 – March 15, 2022– (LV)––51%–23%10%17%
Fox NewsMarch 2–6, 2022918 (LV)± 3.0%21%50%–18%<1%10%
Emerson CollegeFebruary 25–26, 2022410 (LV)± 4.8%20%34%0%9%–36%
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)January 11–13, 2022800 (LV)± 3.5%–38%–46%–16%
Fabrizio Lee (R)May 2021600 (LV)± 4.0%–34%–42%–24%

Results

Results by county: DeWine 30–40%40–50%50–60%60–70% Renacci 30–40%40–50% Blystone 30–40%40–50%50–60%
Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMike DeWine (incumbent)Jon Husted (incumbent)519,59448.11%
RepublicanJim RenacciJoe Knopp302,49428.01%
RepublicanJoe BlystoneJeremiah Workman235,58421.81%
RepublicanRon HoodCandice Keller22,4112.07%
Total votes1,080,083100.0%

Democratic primary

Former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley finished second in the primary.

Candidates

Nominated

Eliminated in primary

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

State senators

State representatives

Individuals

Newspapers

U.S. senators

State senators

State representatives

Local officials

Individuals

  • Joe Rugola, executive director of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE)

Unions

Organizations

Organizations

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorJohn CranleyNan WhaleyOtherUndecided
University 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)January 17–19, 2022670 (LV)± 3.8%20%33%–48%

Results

Results by county: Whaley 50–60%60–70%70–80%80–90% Cranley 50–60%60–70%
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticNan WhaleyCheryl Stephens331,01465.01%
DemocraticJohn CranleyTeresa Fedor178,13234.99%
Total votes509,146100.0%

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

Individuals

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political ReportSolid RSeptember 29, 2022
Inside ElectionsSolid RJuly 22, 2022
Sabato's Crystal BallSafe RJune 2, 2022
PoliticoSolid RNovember 3, 2022
RCPSafe ROctober 20, 2022
Fox NewsLikely RMay 12, 2022
538Solid RJuly 31, 2022
Elections DailySafe RNovember 7, 2022

Post-primary endorsements

U.S. executive branch officials

State officials

State senators

Individuals

Newspapers

  • The Marietta Times (local newspaper from the city of Marietta, Ohio)
  • The Toledo Blade

Organizations

Unions

Newspapers

Unions

Polling

Aggregate polls

Source of poll aggregationDates administeredDates updatedMike DeWine (R)Nan Whaley (D)UndecidedMargin
Real Clear PoliticsOctober 7–22, 2022October 25, 202255.8%37.5%6.7%DeWine +18.3
FiveThirtyEightAugust 16 – October 25, 2022October 25, 202255.5%36.1%8.4%DeWine +19.3
Average55.6%36.8%7.6%DeWine +18.8

Graphical summary

Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorMike DeWine (R)Nan Whaley (D)OtherUndecided
CiviqsNovember 4–7, 2022716 (LV)± 4.1%53%39%6%2%
Research Co.November 4–6, 2022450 (LV)± 4.6%57%37%–6%
Targoz Market ResearchNovember 2–6, 2022505 (LV)± 4.3%62%32%5%–
The Trafalgar Group (R)November 3–5, 20221,123 (LV)± 2.9%59%34%–8%
Data for Progress (D)November 2–5, 20221,413 (LV)± 3.0%62%38%––
Cygnal (R)November 1–3, 20221,498 (LV)± 2.5%56%37%–7%
Remington Research Group (R)November 1–2, 20221,125 (LV)± 2.8%58%35%–7%
Emerson CollegeOctober 30 – November 1, 20221,000 (LV)± 3.0%55%34%5%7%
Cygnal (R)October 29 – November 1, 20221,520 (LV)± 2.5%56%36%–8%
Cygnal (R)October 26–30, 20221,510 (LV)± 2.5%56%36%–9%
Cygnal (R)October 24–28, 20221,776 (LV)± 2.3%56%35%–9%
Cygnal (R)October 22–26, 20221,817 (LV)± 2.3%56%35%–9%
Cygnal (R)October 20–24, 20221,886 (LV)± 2.3%55%37%–8%
Baldwin Wallace UniversityOctober 20–23, 20221,068 (LV)± 3.5%57%40%–3%
Cygnal (R)October 18–22, 20221,547 (LV)± 2.5%55%37%–8%
Marist CollegeOctober 17–20, 20221,141 (RV)± 3.9%53%40%1%6%
942 (LV)± 4.3%54%41%1%3%
Cygnal (R)October 16–20, 20221,540 (LV)± 2.5%55%37%–8%
Siena CollegeOctober 14–19, 2022644 (LV)± 5.1%58%34%3%6%
Cygnal (R)October 14–18, 20221,438 (LV)± 2.6%56%35%–9%
Ohio Northern University/LucidOctober 11–15, 2022668 (LV)± 3.8%60%29%1%10%
Suffolk UniversityOctober 11–15, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%56%38%1%5%
The Trafalgar Group (R)October 10–12, 20221,081 (LV)± 2.9%55%37%–8%
Data for Progress (D)October 7–12, 20221,016 (LV)± 3.0%57%38%–5%
Cygnal (R)October 6–8, 2022640 (LV)–57%35%–8%
Emerson CollegeOctober 6–7, 20221,000 (LV)± 3.0%50%36%6%8%
Siena CollegeSeptember 18–22, 2022642 (LV)± 4.4%55%32%3%10%
Baldwin Wallace UniversitySeptember 12–15, 2022855 (LV)± 4.1%57%39%–4%
Marist CollegeSeptember 12–15, 20221,200 (RV)± 3.6%55%37%–8%
1,009 (LV)± 3.9%55%39%–6%
Emerson CollegeSeptember 10–13, 20221000 (LV)± 3%50%33%5%12%
CiviqsSeptember 10–13, 2022780 (LV)± 4%44%41%10%5%
Fallon ResearchSeptember 6–11, 2022500 (RV)± 4.3%49%37%–14%
Suffolk UniversitySeptember 5–7, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%54%39%–7%
Echelon InsightsAugust 31 – September 7, 2022831 (LV)± 4.3%54%35%–11%
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)August 16–19, 20221,087 (LV)± 2.9%54%38%–8%
Emerson CollegeAugust 15–16, 2022925 (LV)± 3.2%49%33%8%11%
Lake Research Partners (D)August 4–9, 2022600 (LV)± 4.0%44%43%8%5%
Lake Research Partners (D)August 3–9, 2022600 (LV)± 4.0%44%43%7%6%
Suffolk UniversityMay 22–24, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%45%30%11%13%
Redfield & 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 sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorMike DeWine (R)John Cranley (D)OtherUndecided
Redfield & Wilton StrategiesAugust 20–24, 20211,200 (RV)± 2.8%44%24%10%16%
1,160 (LV)± 2.9%47%25%11%15%

Results

State Senate district results
State House district 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%).

2022 Ohio gubernatorial election
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanMike DeWine (incumbent)Jon Husted (incumbent)2,580,42462.41%+12.02%
DemocraticNan WhaleyCheryl Stephens1,545,48937.38%−9.30%
Write-in8,9640.22%N/A
Total votes4,134,877100.0%
Turnout4,201,36852.32%
Registered electors8,029,950
Republican hold

By county

CountyMike DeWine RepublicanNan Whaley DemocraticVarious candidates Other partiesMarginTotal
#%#%#%#%
Adams7,34883.83%1,39515.92%220.25%5,95367.91%8,765
Allen25,46177.97%6,83520.93%3601.10%18,62657.04%32,656
Ashland14,51079.10%3,72920.33%1050.57%10,78158.77%18,344
Ashtabula20,90368.16%9,62131.37%1420.46%11,28236.79%30,666
Athens8,92046.63%10,15553.08%550.29%-1,235-6.45%19,130
Auglaize16,01985.80%2,47413.25%1780.96%13,54572.55%18,671
Belmont16,88474.74%5,54624.55%1610.70%11,33850.19%22,591
Brown11,65882.42%2,37216.77%1140.81%9,28665.65%14,144
Butler90,06370.12%38,18629.73%1990.15%51,87740.39%128,448
Carroll8,07479.51%1,96919.39%1121.11%6,10560.12%10,155
Champaign11,32478.34%2,96220.49%1691.17%8,36257.85%14,455
Clark31,12170.88%12,55928.60%2280.51%18,56242.28%43,908
Clermont59,15373.54%20,88825.97%3950.49%38,26547.57%80,436
Clinton11,47981.05%2,58318.24%1010.71%8,89662.81%14,163
Columbiana28,01378.93%7,16920.20%3110.87%20,84458.73%35,493
Coshocton8,90178.44%2,36920.88%780.69%6,53257.56%11,348
Crawford11,78179.43%2,94919.88%1010.68%8,83259.55%14,831
Cuyahoga175,69742.73%234,07656.93%1,3890.34%-58,379-14.20%411,162
Darke17,27886.96%2,46412.40%1280.65%14,81474.56%19,870
Defiance10,18075.87%3,13923.40%980.73%7,04152.47%13,417
Delaware62,73363.49%35,94236.37%1370.14%26,79127.12%98,812
Erie18,65164.31%10,23635.30%1130.39%8,41529.01%29,000
Fairfield41,01769.53%17,84230.25%1290.22%23,17539.28%58,988
Fayette6,91381.88%1,47617.48%540.64%5,43764.40%8,443
Franklin182,91442.87%242,33256.79%1,4640.34%-59,418-13.92%426,710
Fulton13,00879.22%3,32420.24%880.53%9,68458.98%16,420
Gallia7,22979.72%1,67718.49%1621.79%5,55261.23%9,068
Geauga28,93167.97%13,34431.35%2890.68%15,58736.62%42,564
Greene45,78768.90%20,56530.95%1010.15%25,22237.95%66,453
Guernsey9,48678.04%2,53020.81%1391.14%6,95657.23%12,155
Hamilton155,57751.18%148,02348.70%3710.12%7,5542.48%303,971
Hancock20,97577.07%6,12722.51%1140.42%14,84854.56%27,216
Hardin7,21080.42%1,71719.15%380.42%5,49361.27%8,965
Harrison4,07978.61%1,07220.66%380.73%3,00757.95%5,189
Henry8,43780.87%1,94918.68%470.45%6,48862.19%10,433
Highland10,88083.31%2,11416.19%650.50%8,76667.12%13,059
Hocking7,04673.83%2,40525.20%920.96%4,64148.63%9,543
Holmes7,26285.96%1,11513.20%710.84%6,14772.76%8,448
Huron13,90475.06%4,46424.10%1550.84%9,44050.96%18,523
Jackson7,03379.38%1,74919.74%780.88%5,28459.64%8,860
Jefferson16,92973.90%5,85525.56%1230.53%11,07448.34%22,907
Knox17,34975.22%5,52523.95%1910.83%11,82451.27%23,065
Lake61,12164.66%33,09835.01%3080.33%28,02329.65%94,527
Lawrence13,60277.86%3,81521.84%520.30%9,78756.02%17,469
Licking46,88170.54%19,14328.80%4390.66%27,73841.74%66,463
Logan13,55382.05%2,77716.81%1881.14%10,77665.24%16,518
Lorain66,28959.69%44,31439.90%4460.40%21,97519.79%111,049
Lucas72,21454.14%60,51645.37%6610.50%11,6988.77%133,391
Madison10,78376.25%3,24422.94%1150.81%7,53953.31%14,142
Mahoning55,67665.20%29,44434.48%2760.32%26,23230.72%85,396
Marion14,26374.17%4,81825.05%1490.78%9,44549.12%19,230
Medina53,49868.47%24,03430.76%6040.78%29,46437.71%78,136
Meigs5,75578.20%1,51920.64%851.15%4,23657.56%7,359
Mercer15,40386.89%2,23012.58%1040.53%13,17374.31%17,727
Miami33,70979.46%8,45219.92%2610.62%25,25759.54%42,422
Monroe3,79377.97%1,02221.01%501.03%2,77156.96%4,865
Montgomery110,67259.05%76,15440.63%6030.32%34,51818.42%187,429
Morgan3,80879.35%95819.96%330.69%2,85059.39%4,799
Morrow10,69880.52%2,47518.63%1130.85%8,22361.89%13,286
Muskingum21,06476.76%6,23022.70%1490.54%14,83454.06%27,443
Noble3,78581.93%77816.84%571.24%3,00765.09%4,620
Ottawa13,31271.79%5,17127.89%600.32%8,14143.90%18,543
Paulding5,16979.58%1,28519.78%410.63%3,88459.80%6,495
Perry9,26378.31%2,51521.26%500.43%6,74857.05%11,828
Pickaway15,20977.45%4,28921.84%1390.71%10,92055.61%19,637
Pike5,88975.66%1,84223.67%520.67%4,04751.99%7,783
Portage37,63462.15%22,66537.43%2550.42%14,96924.72%60,554
Preble13,17283.38%2,50415.85%1210.77%10,66867.53%15,797
Putnam13,40289.09%1,55010.30%920.62%11,85278.79%15,044
Richland30,89974.46%10,42925.13%1700.41%20,47049.33%41,498
Ross16,49672.79%6,03726.64%1300.57%10,45946.15%22,663
Sandusky15,71273.10%5,63126.20%1500.70%10,08146.90%21,493
Scioto15,93475.84%5,04824.03%290.14%10,88651.81%21,011
Seneca13,66775.45%4,31923.84%1290.71%9,34851.61%18,115
Shelby15,71786.69%2,29112.64%1220.67%13,42674.05%18,130
Stark90,38767.49%43,08232.17%4630.35%47,30535.32%133,932
Summit105,77753.20%92,20646.37%8540.43%13,5716.83%198,837
Trumbull48,45966.48%24,16333.15%2680.37%24,29633.33%72,890
Tuscarawas22,29673.64%7,68525.38%2940.97%14,61148.26%30,275
Union18,38772.10%6,91827.13%1960.77%11,46944.97%25,501
Van Wert8,27982.22%1,70216.90%880.88%6,57765.32%10,069
Vinton3,11177.87%83220.83%521.30%2,27957.04%3,995
Warren74,34572.95%27,07026.56%4930.48%47,27546.39%101,908
Washington16,93474.79%5,62524.84%820.37%11,30949.95%22,641
Wayne28,28473.76%9,82425.62%2380.63%18,46048.14%38,346
Williams10,33179.99%2,54319.69%410.32%7,78860.30%12,915
Wood31,39964.67%17,06035.14%950.20%14,33929.53%48,554
Wyandot6,53780.17%1,55819.11%590.71%4,97961.06%8,154
Totals2,580,68562.27%1,545,68837.30%17,9510.43%1,034,99724.97%4,144,324

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

By congressional district

DeWine won 13 of 15 congressional districts, including three that elected Democrats.

DistrictDeWineWhaleyRepresentative
1st55%45%Steve Chabot (117th Congress)
Greg Landsman (118th Congress)
2nd77%23%Brad Wenstrup
3rd37%63%Joyce Beatty
4th74%26%Jim Jordan
5th71%29%Bob Latta
6th72%28%Bill Johnson
7th63%37%Bob Gibbs (117th Congress)
Max Miller (118th Congress)
8th69%31%Warren Davidson
9th63%37%Marcy Kaptur
10th62%38%Mike Turner
11th30%70%Shontel Brown
12th72%28%Troy Balderson
13th57%43%Tim Ryan (117th Congress)
Emilia Sykes (118th Congress)
14th66%34%David Joyce
15th62%38%Mike Carey

Analysis

Voter demographics

Voter demographic data was collected by CNN. The voter survey is based on exit polls. There were 3,772 total respondents.

2022 Ohio gubernatorial election (CNN)
Demographic subgroupDeWineWhaley% of total vote
Ideology
Liberals138620
Moderates574242
Conservatives93638
Party
Democrats168430
Republicans96341
Independents623729
Age
18–24 years old44564
25–29 years old40606
30–39 years old514812
40–49 years old603816
50–64 years old683131
65 and older683231
Gender
Men663352
Women584148
Marital status
Married643565
Unmarried564235
Marital status by gender
Married men702931
Married women584134
Unmarried men593918
Unmarried women534617
Race/ethnicity
White673284
Black326712
Latino48522
Gender by race
White men702944
White women643540
Black men41596
Black women25756
Latino menN/AN/A1
Latino womenN/AN/A1
Other racial/ethnic groupsN/AN/A2
Education
Never attended college683217
Some college education643525
Associate degree633615
Bachelor's degree584025
Advanced degree584118
Education by race
White college graduates613837
White no college degree722746
Non-white college graduates44566
Non-white no college degree376311
Education by gender/race
White women with college degrees574218
White women without college degrees693021
White men with college degrees653419
White men without college degrees742525
Non-white396016
Issue regarded as most important
Crime66348
Inflation811835
Immigration9269
Gun policy564216
Abortion287126
Abortion should be
Legal435658
Illegal89937
2020 presidential vote
Biden207943
Trump95350
Biden legitimately won in 2020
Yes376357
No95339
Union household
Yes564321
No623779
Area type
Urban534633
Suburban683151
Rural623816

See also

Notes

Partisan clients

External links

Official campaign websites