Latest news with #Tressel
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legendary Ohio State coach Jim Tressel considering run for governor to take on Ramaswamy and the Trump machine
Biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy looks set to romp home with the Republican nomination to be the next governor of Ohio, a year out from the party's primary. He has the backing of President Donald Trump, earned the formal support of the state party, and is leading in early polling. Can anyone derail the Ramaswamy train, capture the president's attention, and snatch the nomination? Possibly. Current term-limited Governor Mike DeWine, Politico reports, is not keen on Ramaswamy taking over from him, nor on his old Democratic rival, Sherrod Brown, winning if he were to run. The governor appears to have a plan to advance his preferred candidate, Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel. Appointed to the role in February 2025 after former Lt. Gov. John Husted took over JD Vance's Senate seat when he became vice president, Tressel potentially has something of an advantage in a statewide race. He is the former Ohio State football coach who guided the Buckeyes to seven Big Ten championships and the 2002 National Championship. Prior to that, he also led Youngstown State University to the playoffs 10 times and won four national championships. Most recently, he returned to YSU from Ohio State as university president from 2014 to 2023. Tressel is an Ohio hero. Speaking to Politico, DeWine acknowledged the 'conventional wisdom' regarding Ramaswamy's current advantage and the state of the race almost a year out from the primary, but believes his lieutenant is unique. 'He told me he thinks he's been to every high school in the state,' the governor said of the former coach. 'He is Ohio; he really understands the diversity of this state.' DeWine added: 'Once you get beyond the introductions, then he's got to obviously sell. I think he will.' Tressel has neither confirmed nor ruled out his potential candidacy. If he does jump into the race, he will have a hill to climb against the Trump machine that took Vance to within a heartbeat of the presidency and that has already aligned behind Ramaswamy. Can a storied history as a state football hero compete with the Trump machine? Or could it even turn the president's head? Trump has given dual endorsements before, though Ramaswamy's polling numbers would indicate that this may be unlikely in this case, given that he had 64 percent support from prospective GOP primary voters in April, compared to Tressel's 14 percent. Nevertheless, Tressel is testing the waters, making appearances at county Republican events, some now renamed as Lincoln-Reagan-Trump dinners, underlining the changing nature of the party in the state and nationwide. While he is attracting uniform respect from attendees, Politico notes that most feel the primary is already decided, with one strategist telling the outlet that 'it would take Vivek making some cataclysmic mistakes now' to alter that perception. Recalling Ramaswamy's boisterous debate performances in the Republican presidential primaries leading up to the 2024 election, that's not out of the question. As for when Tressel has to decide, he told Politico that he didn't know the timing for signing up to run for office: 'I don't even know what you have to do to sign up to run for something.' Prompted that his chief backer, Governor DeWine, would have a good idea, he added: 'Well, and that's why if I thought there was a timing problem right now I would hear about it from him.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio's Jim Tressel still considering run for governor; GOP endorsement of Ramaswamy isn't a factor
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel speaking at a news conference. (Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.) Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is still considering a run for governor, saying that the state GOP's endorsement of Vivek Ramaswamy won't affect his decision. The night before the Ohio Republican Party Central Committee was set to endorse a candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial primary, Tressel said that he was interested in a possible run to succeed Gov. Mike DeWine. Because he commented so late, he wasn't considered during the meeting as a candidate. Strategists have been pushing the former OSU coach to jump into the race, but he hasn't given a firm answer on what he plans to do. We asked why he decided to say he was considering a run the night before the Ohio Republican Party endorsement, and whether he thinks that endorsement will impact his decision on whether to enter the race. 'Well, I don't think an endorsement would impact, at least in my opinion, whether I would be interested in getting in the race or not,' he responded. He said that wherever he goes, he has been getting 'so many questions,' so he decided to say something. In a meeting in Columbus on May 9, the Ohio Republican Party voted 60-3 in favor of Cincinnati entrepreneur Ramaswamy over Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. In an email to supporters Friday, Yost suspended his campaign, saying that although he has worked to better Ohio for years, this is 'not a time for a family squabble.' On the Democratic side, the only candidate to announce so far is former Ohio Health Department director Dr. Amy Acton. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost suspends campaign for governor When asked his thoughts about infighting for the primary nomination, Tressel explained that he isn't experienced enough to have an opinion about 'squabbles' or what 'the party needs,' but that he is going around the state and speaking at dinners with 'enthusiasts.' 'They're thinking about this whole election cycle and their excitement and so forth, but I don't really know about whether the family squabble gobble thing,' he said. 'Every voter deserves a chance to decide what they'd like to vote for.' We asked him what his top three priorities would be as governor. After saying we stumped him, he proceeded to explain he wants to focus on the livelihood of Ohioans — similar to DeWine. 'I always hear [DeWine] talk about safety, that he wants every person to feel safe and be safe,' he responded. 'I've heard him talk every day about wanting every Ohioan to reach their God-given potential, and to me, those sound like non-negotiables. You better do darn well at those.' He emphasized that he is an 'education buff' as well. Also, he wants to make sure that veterans are supported. He spoke to reporters following an event honoring fallen soldiers. 'Education is a big deal to me, and tradition, like we had today, and remembering sacrifice, being grateful, to me, might be number one,' he said. We are awaiting a response from Ramaswamy's team for his reaction. Tressel didn't have an answer on when he would, if he does, officially announce. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lt. Governor Tressel joined by education, business leaders for Compact Conference
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio's Lt. Governor Jim Tressel was joined by more than 100 education and business leaders on Thursday morning for the Central Ohio Compact Conference at Columbus State Community College. 'This group has come together and said, okay, we're uniquely central Ohio. We have different opportunities now, and we're trying to attract different opportunities to come our way. So how can we make sure that we're providing the type of workforce, taking advantage of the opportunities?' said Tressel. The conference aims to increase the amount of students getting degrees and certificates and eventually successful careers. 'What we need is for everyone to increase their excellence. Everyone just get a little bit better, turn out a few more four year degrees. We got to get a few more two year degrees. We need a few more people credentialed,' he said. Johnstown eager, but anxious, over Intel plant impact Tressel has been traveling all over Ohio as part of developing Ohio's Workforce Playbook, aimed at creating a plan to retain talent in Ohio and recruiting more. He met with education and business leaders in areas like Cincinnati, Dayton and Youngstown to learn about specific workforce needs of each region. He said one concern from business is that new employees are coming in with job skills but not personal skills. 'Make sure that our young people coming out of education, coming out of training, have those basic skills of that resiliency when times are a little tough, that work ethic, that punctuality, that willingness to collaborate, listen, learn, curious, creative,' Tressel said. He said the state is at a time where there are many jobs and opportunities open but not enough people are aware of what all it offers. 'These are elementary, middle school and high school kids and to hear them talk about how they never realized what kinds of jobs are out there, what kind of technology, what kind of opportunities,' said Tressel Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio Republican Party endorses Vivek Ramaswamy for governor
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio Republican Party on Friday endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for governor. The endorsement for the 2026 race came at the Ohio Republican State Central Committee meeting. Ramaswamy received 60 votes by secret ballot. He needed 44 votes. Ramaswamy was endorsed by President Donald Trump not long after he officially launched his bid. The president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, called in at the start of the meeting to urge unity within the party. Ramaswamy thanked the party for its endorsement. Why Columbus is literally sinking more and more every year 'It's a major milestone, and I think it reflects unprecedented unity in the Republican Party of this state,' he said. 'That puts us in an incredibly strong position heading into 2026.' He said he would be looking toward potential lieutenant governor candidates in the second half of this year. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who is running for auditor, and Treasurer Robert Sprague, who is running for Secretary of State, both support Ramaswamy for governor. Auditor Keith Faber, who is running for Attorney General, said he is not making an endorsement at the moment, but is fine with the committee's choice to endorse a candidate on Friday. 'I respect Dave, I respect Vivek, and I respect Lt. Gov. Tressel, so I just didn't think it was time for me to jump in personally at this point,' Faber said. 'I think they all have great strengths and I'll let them communicate that themselves to the voters of Ohio.' Ramaswamy and Attorney General Dave Yost are running as Republicans to replace the term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine. Dr. Amy Acton is running as a Democrat. Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, a Republican, told NBC News in a statement that he is considering a run for governor. He previously said he was not thinking about it, but didn't officially rule it out. 'We congratulate Mr. Ramaswamy,' Yost's campaign said in a statement after the endorsement. 'The Attorney General is going to take a few days to consult with key supporters about the path forward — but the people of Ohio deserve a choice, not a premature coronation of an untested candidate.' 'What has been a surprise, and it has been humbling, is how many people are encouraging me to run for Governor,' Tressel said in the statement. DeWine was working to prevent the state GOP from endorsing Ramaswamy on Friday, according to reporting from NBC News. DeWine wasn't pushing for a specific candidate, but instead to delay the endorsement, thinking that it was too soon to endorse anyone. 'I think he would like to forestall an endorsement taking place, because I think he would like to see if he can convince Jim Tressel to run for governor,' a Republican leader told NBC News. Despite being nearly a year out from the primary, the 66-member committee voted 51-13 on Friday to issue an endorsement in the race, later voting to endorse Ramaswamy. Two members were absent. Local pizzeria expanding with location in Hilliard 'The Ohio Republican Party's rushed endorsement of Vivek Ramaswamy proves that despite his attempts to claim otherwise, he is the ultimate party insider who would cater to his fellow billionaires while leaving Ohioans behind,' Ohio Democratic Party spokesperson Katie Seewer said in a statement. Ramaswamy was in attendance at the meeting, and gave a speech to the committee during executive session. Yost was not there because he was attending the funeral of a Hamilton County deputy who was killed in the line of duty. Yost's wife spoke on his behalf. Tressel was not at the meeting. 'His funeral is Friday morning in Cincinnati — and that presents me with a painful choice,' Yost said in a letter to the committee. 'As the chief law enforcement officer of this state, it has been my practice to attend the funerals for law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty.' 'We have a very important meeting Friday morning,' Yost said. 'But it's merely about politics, whether to endorse a candidate for Governor in a primary that is nearly a year away. I have decided that I will put remembrance of Deputy Larry Henderson and my duty first. As you meet Friday, I will be in Cincinnati.' 'I believe this is the right thing to do (regardless of whether it is politically wise) and have so chosen my course,' he wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NBC News
08-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel confirms he's considering a run for governor
CLEVELAND — Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, a Republican and a former Ohio State football coach, confirmed Thursday that he is considering a run for governor in 2026. Tressel, who previously said he was not thinking about a bid but stopped short of ruling one out, indicated in a statement first shared with NBC News that his thinking has changed. 'What has been a surprise, and it has been humbling, is how many people are encouraging me to run for Governor,' Tressel said after emphasizing how much he was enjoying his current job. 'I have not decided yet, but when I became Lieutenant Governor in February, Ellen told me that it seemed like God had more work for me to do, and she was right,' Tressel added, referring to his wife. 'While I have not ruled out a run for Governor — and there will be a time in the future for those conversations — for now, I will remain focused on helping Ohioans get off the sidelines and into our workforce so they can reach their full potential.' Tressel's statement came ahead of a Friday meeting where the Ohio Republican Party's state central committee will consider issuing an early endorsement for the May 2026 primary. Allies of Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur whose candidacy for governor is backed by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, are pushing hard to win the endorsement over state Attorney General Dave Yost. But term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine has been calling committee members urging them to hold off, citing the possibility that other candidates could jump in the race, NBC News reported this week. DeWine's effort has been viewed by many party insiders as a move to keep the state party from committing advertising and organizational resources to Ramaswamy before Tressel makes a decision. The governor picked Tressel to be his deputy less than three months ago, immediately triggering speculation that he was grooming him for even higher office. 'I think he would like to forestall an endorsement taking place, because I think he would like to see if he can convince Jim Tressel to run for governor,' one Republican leader in the state said of DeWine this week. DeWine, in a statement Tuesday, stressed that it is too soon to take sides. 'As far as who I endorse in the Republican primary for Governor, it is much too early, as we do not even know who all will be in the race,' he said. 'We are now 364 days away from the primary and 293 days away from the filing deadline. In politics, this is a lifetime!' Tressel, 72, won multiple national championships as a college football coach, first guiding the lower-division Youngstown State Penguins to four titles in the 1990s before jumping to the Big Ten and winning the 2002 national championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes in his second year as head coach there. He resigned from Ohio State in 2011 with the football program mired in controversy and an NCAA investigation involving players selling memorabilia to a tattoo parlor. Public and internal polling has shown Ramaswamy, 39, with a sizable lead over both Yost and Tressel. An outside group supportive of Ramaswamy has already spent millions to amplify Trump's endorsement in TV ads. And Vance has directed some of his top political advisers to help steer Ramaswamy's campaign. Donald Trump Jr. urged state central committee members Wednesday to ratify his father's choice, while conceding that 'early endorsements aren't the norm.' 'We have a country to save, and we don't have any time or money to waste,' Trump Jr. wrote in a post on X. 'President Trump endorsed Vivek, in one of his very first 2026 endorsements, for a reason: We need Vivek in Ohio, and Ohio needs Vivek as its Governor.'
