Vivek Ramaswamy, a wealthy biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, won the Ohio Republican primary for governor on Tuesday. He defeated challenger Casey Putsch with a comfortable margin and will face Democrat Amy Acton in November. The race is expected to be competitive in the Republican-leaning state.
Vivek Ramaswamy secured the Republican nomination for Ohio governor after a dominant victory in Tuesday's primary, according to a race call by The Associated Press. With early results showing 85% of the vote to his 15% opponent's share, Ramaswamy advanced as the heavy favorite bolstered by his national profile from the 2024 presidential bid. He announced his candidacy after leaving President Trump's newly created Department of Government Efficiency on inauguration day, receiving Trump's immediate endorsement that evening. Trump later posted on Truth Social: “Vivek Ramaswamy will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” calling him “Young, Strong, and Smart.” Casey Putsch, a northwest Ohio car designer new to politics, attacked Ramaswamy's South Asian heritage but failed to gain traction with his outsider campaign criticizing GOP leadership on energy and foreign policy. In the general election, Ramaswamy faces Democrat Amy Acton, who ran unopposed in her primary. Acton, former state health director under Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, led Ohio's COVID-19 response, earning the nickname “Dr. Lockdown” from critics for orders restricting gatherings and closing schools and businesses. DeWine, who is term-limited and has endorsed Ramaswamy, defended her, saying pandemic decisions were his. Ohio hasn't elected a Democratic governor in 20 years, but the Cook Political Report now rates the race as leaning Republican rather than likely. Acton's campaign targets high living costs with proposals for child tax credits, lower drug and utility prices, and Medicaid support. Ramaswamy, with vast personal resources, has shifted from eliminating property taxes to promising Ohio's largest rollback and floated consolidating public universities.
