Vivek Ramaswamy wins Ohio Republican gubernatorial nomination
Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur adn former presidential contender, won the Republican nomination for Ohio governor on Tuesday with state Senate President rob McColley as his running mate. He had entered the race as the frontrunner, competing against northwest Ohio small business owner Casey Putsch, who positioned himself as a grassroots choice.
Ramaswamy will now face Democrat Amy Acton, who ran unopposed for the nomination. Acton, Ohio’s health director during COVID-19, has drawn heavy criticism for measures such as school closures and delays to in-person voting; she resigned in 2020 amid backlash. Ramaswamy has attacked her record as promoting a perilous “COVID ideology.” Polling cited by Decision Desk HQ shows him narrowly leading Acton, 48% to 45%.
Ramaswamy’s rise has been tied to his national profile and close alignment with Donald Trump, including a Trump endorsement shortly after Ramaswamy launched his campaign in February 2025. His ascent also comes as Ohio Republicans reshaped thier leadership after JD Vance moved to the vice presidency and jon Husted filled the resulting Senate vacancy.
Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy secured the Republican nomination for governor of Ohio on Tuesday alongside his running mate, state Senate President Rob McColley.
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur turned politician, entered the race as the clear front-runner but faced a challenge from a lesser-known candidate, northwest Ohio small business owner Casey Putsch, who cast himself as a grassroots alternative to the wealthy national figure.
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Running on a platform focused on cutting taxes and reducing government waste, Ramaswamy will now advance to a general election showdown against Amy Acton, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Acton, who served as Ohio’s health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, became a polarizing figure for her role in implementing public health measures, including school closures and delays to in-person voting.
She resigned in June 2020 amid mounting backlash, and her pandemic record has resurfaced as a central line of attack in the gubernatorial race. Ramaswamy has repeatedly criticized her approach, accusing her of promoting what he calls a dangerous “COVID ideology.”
Ramaswamy holds a narrow 48%-45% edge over Acton, according to Decision Desk HQ’s polling average.
Ramaswamy first rose to national prominence during his 2024 presidential campaign and later aligned closely with President Donald Trump through his role in the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency.
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That relationship paid early dividends in the gubernatorial race, with Trump endorsing Ramaswamy on the same day he launched his campaign in February 2025.
His rapid ascent in Ohio politics came amid a broader reshuffling within the state GOP. After then-Sen. JD Vance was tapped for the vice presidency and then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted was appointed to fill his Senate seat, a vacancy emerged at the top of the state’s Republican bench.
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