Vivek Ramaswamy, a wealthy biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, has won the Ohio Republican primary for governor, the Associated Press called the race. Ramaswamy pursued an aggressive but conventional campaign to the nomination and quickly secured the backing of former President Donald Trump: he announced his departure from the administration’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency on Trump’s inauguration day, and Trump immediately declared his “complete and total endorsement.”
Ramaswamy defeated Casey Putsch, a northwest Ohio car designer and racing team owner who was new to politics and who had attacked Ramaswamy over his South Asian heritage. Ramaswamy’s personal wealth and large fundraising haul have been central to his campaign’s strength.
Democrat Dr. Amy Acton will face Ramaswamy in November. Acton, a former state health director appointed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in 2019, was a prominent figure in Ohio’s COVID-19 response, issuing orders that limited gatherings, closed nonessential businesses and shut K–12 schools. Republicans criticized those decisions, dubbing her “Dr. Lockdown,” while DeWine has defended the pandemic-era actions. DeWine has nonetheless endorsed Ramaswamy.
Ohio has not elected a Democratic governor in 20 years, but the fall contest is seen as competitive. The Cook Political Report recently moved the race from “likely Republican” to “leans Republican.” Acton’s campaign centers on the high cost of living, proposing child tax credits, lower prescription drug and utility costs, and policies to help Ohioans remain on Medicaid.
Ramaswamy launched his gubernatorial bid in February 2025 calling for the elimination of property taxes; he has since moderated that position, now proposing what he describes as the largest rollback of property taxes in Ohio history. He has also expressed concern about proposals to consolidate or close some public universities in the state. The November matchup will test whether Ramaswamy’s national profile and resources can carry him in a state where Democrats remain competitive under the right conditions.