A spokesperson for former Valley Congressman Tim Ryan tells 21 News Ryan will make a final decision on entering the 2026 Ohio Gubernatorial Race by the end of September.

The spokesperson told 21 News ever since Sherrod Brown announced his run for U.S. Senate, several people have contacted Ryan asking him to run for governor.

"[Ryan] really appreciates him reaching out to him and asking him to run for governor. He will make a final decision sometime by September 30," the spokesperson said.

Ryan first expressed interest in running for governor in May of 2025 when he said he was "seriously considering" running and was listening to and speaking with Ohioans about a possible campaign.

Last week, Ryan's spokesperson told us his interest in running had been "renewed and heightened" following initial media reports of Brown running for Senate.

Ryan had served as a Democratic Congressman for Ohio's 17th District from 2003 to 2013, and Ohio's 13th District from 2013 until 2023.

Ryan also previously ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2022, but lost to former Republican U.S. Senator and current Vice President J.D. Vance.