Columbus, ohio, January 7, 2026 – ohio Gov. Mike DeWine endorsed Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy for governor, despite previously working closely with Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is backing Vivek Ramaswamy in the 2026 gubernatorial race, a move that comes after a period of considering other candidates.
- Ohio gov. Mike DeWine endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for governor on January 7.
- Ramaswamy selected Ohio Senate president Rob McColley as his running mate.
- DeWine initially favored Lt. Gov. Jon Husted for the position before a change in the political landscape following the 2024 election.
- The endorsement comes after DeWine recruited former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel as a potential lieutenant governor candidate.
“With the election year upon us,I am joining Republicans across Ohio in supporting our dynamic ticket for governor,lead by Vivek Ramaswamy,” DeWine said in a statement after ramaswamy chose Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate.
dewine wrote that 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.”
Ramaswamy, who is backed by President Donald Trump, wasn’t DeWine’s first choice. The governor initially preferred lt. Gov. Jon Husted to succeed him. However, president Trump’s 2024 victory created an opening in the U.S. Senate, as JD Vance
Ramaswamy is now the frontrunner in the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race. The governor’s backing, despite initially favoring other candidates, underscores the shifting dynamics within the Ohio Republican Party following the 2024 presidential election and the subsequent vacancy in the U.S. Senate. This endorsement could prove crucial for Ramaswamy as he seeks to appeal to a broader range of Republican voters and position himself as the clear choice to succeed DeWine.
DeWine, a loyal Republican, never seriously considered endorsing Acton, despite appointing her as state health director and standing by her side throughout the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both were praised for their early response to the pandemic,then later criticized for their decisions to close schools,businesses and the polls.
“Ohio is winning new business projects from the coasts, and Vivek will keep the momentum going,” DeWine said. “Vivek Ramaswamy knows that Ohio is the best state to build a business, raise a family, and pursue your vision of the American dream.”
DeWine had previously stated he would support the GOP nominee for governor in 2026, and Ramaswamy secured the nomination after defeating more experienced political opponents.
State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at [email protected] or @jbalmert on X.
