Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy decisively won the Republican primary for governor in Ohio, achieving a stunning 141,739 votes, or 84.57% of the total ballots cast.
His nearest competitor, Republican Casey Putsch, garnered just over 15%. This outcome was largely anticipated, as Ramaswamy was the frontrunner from the outset.
Endorsements and Funding
His successful campaign was bolstered by President Donald Trump’s endorsement and a favorable vote from the Ohio Republican Party. Ramaswamy’s campaign raised over $25 million, allowing him to run on a platform advocating for eliminating the state income tax and lowering property taxes.
Putsch, a northwest Ohio automobile designer, sought to align with America First principles and faced backlash for his controversial comments regarding Ramaswamy’s heritage.
Upcoming Election
With incumbent Governor Mike DeWine term-limited, Ramaswamy now prepares for the November general election against Democrat Amy Acton, who was unopposed in her party’s nomination.
Polling indicates a tight race, with Acton slightly leading Ramaswamy by 0.3 percentage points, according to RealClearPolling’s analyses. Individual polls have also shown the candidates closely matched.
BREAKING: Decision Desk HQ projects Vivek Ramaswamy wins the OH Governor Republican Primary pic.twitter.com/Q0EXYiypg8
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 5, 2026
