An Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate has effectively lost ballot eligibility after her lieutenant governor running mate officially withdrew from the race, triggering a state law that prevents votes for the joint ticket from being counted.
Heather Hill, a Republican candidate for Ohio governor, was running alongside Stuart Moats as her lieutenant governor candidate in the 2026 Republican primary. Under Ohio law, governor and lieutenant governor candidates run as a joint ticket, meaning both candidates must remain on the ballot together for votes to count.
According to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, Moats filed his official withdrawal fewer than 70 days before the May 5 primary election. Because of that timing, Ohio Revised Code 3513.30 applies, which states that if a lieutenant governor candidate withdraws within that 70-day window, the gubernatorial candidate’s name may still appear on the ballot, but votes cast for that ticket cannot be counted.
The Secretary of State’s Office publicly confirmed the ruling this week, stating that county boards of elections have been instructed to notify voters that votes cast for the Hill-Moats ticket will be considered void.
The issue follows a public dispute between Hill and Moats that played out across social media and political circles. Hill accused Moats of serious personal and professional misconduct, citing what she described as irreconcilable differences. Moats denied the allegations and publicly pushed back against Hill’s claims.
Despite Hill’s name still appearing on ballots, the ruling means her campaign is effectively removed from contention unless a legal challenge changes the outcome.
The development significantly reshapes the Republican gubernatorial primary, leaving Vivek Ramaswamy as the clear frontrunner among the remaining major candidates.
At this time, it is not known whether Hill plans to challenge the decision in court.
