Ohio: Indian-origin Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy has secured the Republican nomination for governor of Ohio after a decisive primary victory, strengthening his position as a rising Trump-aligned figure in US politics ahead of the November general election.
Ramaswamy, a 40-year-old biotech entrepreneur from the Cincinnati area, defeated challenger Casey Putsch, an automotive designer and YouTube creator, in a landslide victory, securing 82% of the vote. His opponent trailed with around 18%, reflecting a significant gap in political experience, funding, and party support. A third candidate, Heather Hill, had previously been removed from the ballot.
In the Ohio Republican primary, Ramaswamy focused not only on internal party competition but also on his likely Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, the former Ohio health director who led the state’s COVID-19 response and ran unopposed in her primary.
Ramaswamy, during his victory speech, thanked Ohio voters for getting him to this point and said, “The real destination is in November.”
His win was widely expected due to strong financial backing, institutional support, and endorsements from top Republican leaders. US President Donald Trump praised him as “young, strong, and smart,” while US Vice President JD Vance also publicly supported his campaign and voted for him in Cincinnati.
Ohio has increasingly leaned Republican in recent years, and Ramaswamy has benefited from strong name recognition and shifting party dynamics following Vance’s rise to national office. The last Democratic governor to win in Ohio was Ted Strickland in 2006.
Before entering state politics, Ramaswamy gained national attention during his 2024 presidential bid, where he initially ran against Trump before later withdrawing and endorsing him. He formally entered the Ohio governor’s race in February 2025 after Governor Mike DeWine became term-limited.
A major advantage for Ramaswamy was his financial strength, with an estimated net worth of about $2.5 billion. His campaign focused on economic reforms, including eliminating state income tax, boosting manufacturing, overhauling education, and criticising COVID-era restrictions.
Ramaswamy now moves to the general election on November 3, 2026, setting up a high-profile contest against Acton. The race is expected to draw significant national attention as a key test of Republican momentum in the US Midwest.
