Engaging with Ohio’s Gubernatorial Candidates

Early childhood is not a niche issue — it is foundational to Ohio’s future workforce, economic strength, and community health. The next leaders we elect will play a defining role in shaping early childhood policy and systems.  

Groundwork Ohio engages with every candidate who has filed with the Ohio Secretary of State to run for governor in the 2026 election, to make sure candidates understand what Ohio’s families are experiencing, what the data shows, and what strategies are most effective for supporting young children from birth to age five. 

Through our gubernatorial candidate briefing campaign, we are meeting with candidates and sharing research and data-driven insights about the state’s youngest children and their families. Through population data, family testimonials, and reports on the state of early childhood in Ohio, we aim to provide candidates with content that reflects the current needs of Ohio’s children, families, and communities - to help inform their policy platforms. Since September 2025, we have sent the candidates more than a dozen reports about the state of early childhood in Ohio.  

This work is strictly nonpartisan. We do not endorse candidates. Our goal is simple: to ensure every candidate has access to accurate information, community voices, and evidence-based solutions that reflect the experiences of Ohio families and the importance of strong investments in early childhood. 

You can learn more about efforts to educate candidates about Ohio's youngest children during previous campaign cycles here: Vote for Ohio Kids.