Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton have each selected their running mates as Ohio’s 2026 gubernatorial race begins to take shape.
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former 2024 Republican presidential candidate, announced that he has chosen Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his lieutenant governor. The selection highlights Ramaswamy’s effort to pair his outsider, business-focused background with seasoned legislative leadership.
“I’m an entrepreneur, not a politician, and selected Rob to be a governing partner who can help advance our ambitious legislative agenda,” Ramaswamy said in a statement.
McColley echoed that message, framing the race as a choice between private-sector leadership and entrenched government bureaucracy.
“Ohio needs a businessman, not a bureaucrat, as their leader,” McColley said.
Rob McColley, was seen as a top-tier challenger to one of the few remaining Democrats in Ohio’s congressional delegation, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. The nominally Republican-leaning seat was redrawn by the legislature to include McColley’s home and is among the very few GOP pickup opportunities in 2026.
Ramaswamy has quickly consolidated support within the Republican Party. He is endorsed by President Donald Trump, whose backing remains highly influential with Ohio GOP voters, as well as by the Ohio Republican Party.
Trump lauded the multimillionaire on his Truth Social site as “something SPECIAL,” calling him “Young, Strong, and Smart!”
“Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country,” the president wrote. “He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”
On Wednesday, term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine also endorsed Ramaswamy, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
“With the election year upon us, I am joining Republicans across Ohio in supporting our dynamic ticket for Governor, led by Vivek Ramaswamy,” DeWine said.
“The first important decision any Governor makes is who will be his or her choice for Lieutenant Governor. Vivek Ramaswamy has made a great pick in Senate President Rob McColley to be his running mate. Senate President McColley is a strong leader who is well respected by the members of the General Assembly. He knows Ohio and brings geographical balance to the ticket.”
Despite facing a primary challenge from political newcomer Casey Putsch, Ramaswamy enters the race as the clear GOP frontrunner. Businesswoman Heather Hill initially entered the race as a Republican but has since switched to an independent bid.
On the Democratic side, former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton selected David Pepper, a former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, as her running mate. Acton, who rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, said the ticket reflects shared priorities centered on cost-of-living concerns.
“We both share a lifelong commitment to fighting for Ohio’s working families and making our state a more affordable place to live for all of us,” Acton said.
Pepper praised Acton’s focus on affordability and corruption, while taking a swipe at Ramaswamy’s business background.
“While our opponent is flying around our state in his private jet and moving his business from Ohio to Texas, we’re working to tackle the affordability crisis and create an Ohio where we can all get ahead,” Pepper said.
Republicans have controlled Ohio’s governor’s mansion since 2010, and the state has trended increasingly red in statewide elections.
The Cook Political Report currently rates the race as “likely Republican,” indicating that while Democrats are expected to compete, the GOP holds a clear structural advantage. The rating is one step short of “solid Republican” and reflects both Ohio’s recent voting history and the strength of the Republican bench.
With Trump’s endorsement, DeWine’s backing, and a unified state GOP behind him, Ramaswamy is positioning himself as the Republican standard-bearer in a race that favors the GOP—but still demands a disciplined and energized campaign heading into 2026.
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