08/04/2026
๐พ Ohio Governorโs Race: Who are the candidates for Lieutenant Governor?
Farmland News has been taking an independent look at the two major candidates for Ohio governor and the issues that matter to agriculture and rural communities.
But Ohio voters arenโt just electing a governor. Theyโll also be choosing the next Lieutenant Governor.
So who are Rob McColley and David Pepper?
๐ด Rob McColley โ Vivek Ramaswamyโs running mate
Ohio Senator Rob McColley is President of the Ohio Senate and represents a largely rural Northwest Ohio district that includes Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Fulton, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Williams counties, along with part of Logan County.
A Napoleon High School graduate, McColley earned a finance degree from The Ohio State University and a law degree from the University of Toledo.
Before entering the legislature, McColley worked in economic and workforce development in Henry and Williams counties. He served in the Ohio House before joining the Senate in 2017 and becoming Senate President in 2025.
Ramaswamy has pointed specifically to McColleyโs knowledge of agriculture, Northwest Ohio and the legislative process as important reasons he chose him as his running mate.
๐ต David Pepper โ Amy Actonโs running mate
David Pepper is an attorney, former Cincinnati City Council member, former Hamilton County Commissioner and former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party.
A fifth-generation Cincinnatian, Pepper has extensive experience in local government. As Hamilton County Commissioner, he helped lead the county through the recession, including efforts involving foreclosure prevention, fiscal reform and property taxes.
Acton has described Pepper as a pragmatic problem-solver whose experience in city and county government would complement her own background.
๐จโ๐พ Two very different backgrounds bringing distinctly different experiences to their tickets.
McColley brings state legislative leadership and deep roots in Northwest Ohio, including experience with the economic, workforce and agricultural issues affecting rural communities.
Pepper brings experience in urban and county government, law, fiscal management and statewide politics.
The Lieutenant Governor can become an important partner in shaping an administrationโs priorities โ and would assume the governorship if the Governor could no longer serve.
โ How important is the Lieutenant Governor candidate when you decide which ticket to support?
Do experience, geography and knowledge of agriculture and rural communities influence your decision?
๐ Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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Follow Farmland News for agriculture, rural communities and the issues affecting Northwest Ohio.
๐ธ Credits:
McColley: Farmland News
Pepper: David Pepper via Facebook
