LaRose, Blackwell Will Compete For Ohio Auditor
Ohio voters will choose the next state auditor in the November 2026 general election.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Elections
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Republican Frank LaRose and Democrat Annette Blackwell are set to face off in the November 2026 race for Ohio state auditor. The winner will oversee state financial records and serve on the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission.
Why it matters
The auditor plays a significant role in state governance, as the position includes critical responsibilities on the board that maps legislative districts. No Democratic candidate has occupied this office since 1995, marking this as a high-stakes contest for party control.
The auditor oversees public financial records and sits on the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission. Current Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Maple Heights Mayor Annette Blackwell are the confirmed candidates for the seat.
The players
Frank LaRose
He is the Republican candidate for Ohio auditor and currently serves as the Ohio Secretary of State.
Annette Blackwell
She is the Democratic candidate for Ohio auditor and the current mayor of Maple Heights.
Keith Faber
He has served as the Ohio state auditor since 2019.
Ohio Redistricting Commission
This seven-member body is responsible for drawing legislative district maps for the state.
The details
Frank LaRose currently serves as the Ohio Secretary of State, while Annette Blackwell acts as the mayor of Maple Heights. The position has remained under Republican leadership for over three decades.
Timeline
1995 marked the last time a Democrat held the Ohio state auditor office.
Keith Faber began serving as state auditor in 2019.
Frank LaRose lost in the GOP Senate primary in 2024.
The Ohio general election for state auditor will occur in November 2026.
Annette Blackwell's current term as mayor ends in December 2027.
Political Context
Opponents of the current redistricting process often argue that the commission structure favors incumbent parties and limits competitive legislative races. Advocacy groups frequently call for an independent commission to replace the current system of political appointees.
The elected auditor will hold significant influence over the state’s financial oversight and the legislative map-drawing process that affects all Ohio residents. Voters will finalize their choice for this administrative role during the November 2026 general election.
The takeaway
This race highlights the ongoing competition for control over administrative offices that dictate state redistricting and fiscal policy. Voters should prepare to evaluate how each candidate intends to balance transparency with the legislative responsibilities tied to the auditor's seat.
Further reading
For more background on upcoming races, visit Ohio elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ashland Times-Gazette.
Live Poll
Do you believe state auditors should be elected by voters rather than appointed by the governor?
