Who is Vivek Ramaswamy and what is Ramaswamy running on in the 2026 Ohio Governor race?

Vivek Ramaswamy is the Republican candidate for Ohio governor. Biotech entrepreneur and 2024 Republican presidential candidate; Trump-endorsed GOP nominee. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Open seat (Mike DeWine term-limited).
• Rating: Toss-up in polling.
• Polling: Acton 46, Ramaswamy 45 (Emerson, early Sept 2026); RealClearPolling average Acton +0.3 (Sept 7, 2026).

Why Ramaswamy is behind

• Polls are a statistical tie (Emerson Acton +1, Fox News Aug Ramaswamy +2, NYT/Siena June tied).
• Markets favor Acton on candidate quality and her affordability message in a high-cost environment despite Ohio voting R+11 in 2024.
• Ramaswamy has the money edge: ~$26.8M cash on hand incl. a $25M personal loan, and Trump’s endorsement.
• Trump’s standing has slipped in Ohio and 60% oppose his tariffs, a headwind for the Trump-backed nominee.

What Ramaswamy is running on

• Taxes. Make Ohio a zero-income-tax state and pass ‘the biggest property tax relief package Ohio’s ever seen’.
• Energy / electric bills. Cut electric bills by producing more energy, promoting fracking and new nuclear plants.
• Education. Restore standards and improve K-12 performance.
• Crime. Tougher penalties for repeat offenders to end ‘the crisis of urban crime’.
• Healthcare spending. Promises lower healthcare costs and Medicaid spending controls.
• COVID record. Attacks Acton’s COVID-era shutdown decisions as health director.

In Ramaswamy’s own words

“She was fighting for closing things down. I was fighting for opening things up. And Gov. DeWine was the referee”

“revive that American Dream in Ohio once again, with lower costs, bigger paychecks and better schools”

The other candidates

• Amy Acton (D)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.