Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost hints at run for governor

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio Attorney General appears to have his eyes set on a new position within the state government.

On Tuesday, Dave Yost posted a video on social media that showed him walking into the Ohio Statehouse. The video ends as he approaches the governor's office, vaguely signaling his intention to campaign for the seat currently occupied by Mike DeWine. The current governor cannot run for the office again, nor can Yost for attorney general due to term limits.

Yost, a Republican like the incumbent DeWine, would be following in the latter's footsteps in terms of political progression. DeWine also previously served nine years as attorney general for Ohio before he took over the governor's chair from John Kasich. Yost took the attorney general position in 2019, following previous jobs as the state auditor, Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney and Delaware County Auditor.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who previously ran for governor in 2018's Republican primary before merging with DeWine's campaign, has not publicly announced plans to succeed his counterpart. But the Associated Press reported in July that Husted has already tucked away $5 million for a run, according to campaign finance reports. DeWine has voiced support for Husted previously, saying Husted "will be a great governor" when asked if Husted could replace Vice President-elect JD Vance's Senate seat.

Yost's time as attorney general has been littered with controversial cases, including attempts to enforce Ohio's Heartbeat Law. The legislation signed into law by DeWine banned abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can come as early as six weeks into pregnancy -- often before many women know they're pregnant. When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, the attorney general gained a ruling that dissolved a federal block against the law.

National attention to Ohio's law came after a 10-year-old girl had to leave the state for an abortion after being raped. The case was cited by an Ohio judge who moved to block the Heartbeat Law a second time, and Yost's reply was "there will no doubt be an appeal." It was subsequently declared unconstitutional with Issue 1's passage in 2023 -- a measure that enshrined a right to abortion in the Ohio Constitution.

Regardless of the gubernatorial election's outcome, the attorney general's office -- as well as secretary of state, auditor and treasurer -- will all be up for grabs in the state's 2026 election.