Columbus – Governor Mike DeWine addressed the media on Thursday morning at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Impact Ohio Post‑General Election Conference held at COSI. He used the occasion to reassure Ohioans that the state will continue to be governed from the center‑right and center‑left, a tradition he says has long provided predictability and stability.
Confidence in Governor‑elect Amy Acton
DeWine spoke warmly about Dr. Amy Acton, who is set to become Ohio’s next governor on Jan. 11. “We govern this state from the center‑right and the center‑left, and I have every, every expectation that Governor‑elect Acton will do the same and she will be consistent with that long, long tradition of Democrats and Republicans in the state of Ohio who govern either from the center‑left or the center‑right,” he said. He added that “predictability and stability is really one of the strengths that we have as a state.”
Campaign rhetoric set aside
When asked whether a controversial ad from Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign – which featured Acton’s estranged mother – had any impact on Tuesday’s results, DeWine declined to dissect the campaign. “I decided I’m not going to get into the micromanagement, you know, and dissect campaigns,” he said. “The only thing I will say, I’ll go back to what I led with: there was a mighty wind blowing. And we can argue who ran a good campaign and who didn’t and all the different things, but I’m telling you, when the wind is blowing that hard, it just many times doesn’t matter.”
Honoring former Lt. Gov. Jon Husted
DeWine also took a moment to thank former Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, who recently lost his Senate race to Sherrod Brown. “When he went to the United States Senate, he went with tremendous understanding of the state budget and tremendous understanding on the needs of the State of Ohio,” DeWine said. He credited Husted with averting a serious Medicaid problem, noting that the issue has not been widely reported. “If it was not for Jon Husted, we would have a Medicaid problem, a serious Medicaid problem today,” DeWine added, and hinted that Husted will remain active in Ohio politics.
Investing in children
Turning to policy, DeWine emphasized the importance of early childhood investment. “It’s the best money we can spend. Absolutely nothing even close to it,” he said, underscoring his administration’s focus on families and the next generation.
Looking ahead
With a few months left before Acton’s inauguration, DeWine said he hopes to advance a handful of unfinished projects before leaving office. While he has not yet met with state legislative leaders since the election, he remains optimistic that the bipartisan, centrist approach will carry Ohio forward.
DeWine’s remarks reflect a continued commitment to the state’s traditional, moderate governance model, a message aimed at reassuring Ohio families, faith communities, and business owners that the coming administration will maintain the stability they rely on.
Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.
