Ohio Republican Gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy secured the Ohio Republican Party’s endorsement a year before the 2026 primary in a meeting last Friday.

Ramaswamy cleared the two-thirds majority required by the governing body, with only three out of 63 party officials voting against the endorsement. This was despite last minute attempts by Governor Mike DeWine to delay the vote and an 11th-hour announcement from Lt. Governor Jim Tressel saying he hadn’t ruled out running.

Ramaswamy faces Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Appalachian businesswoman Heather Hill in the Republican primary. Yost said in a statement after the endorsement that he planned to “take a few days to consult with key supporters about the path forward — but the people of Ohio deserve a choice, not a premature coronation of an untested candidate.” 5/9/2025