Vivek Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati-born Republican and former 2024 presidential candidate, is running for Ohio governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Democrat Amy Acton and Libertarian Don Kissick, according to BallotReady election data.

Ramaswamy says on his campaign website he wants to make Ohio "the most affordable, opportunity-rich state in America." He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady.

Candidate information

  • Full name: Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy
  • Party: Republican
  • Date of birth: Aug. 9, 1985, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Family: Married Apoorva Tewari in 2015; three children
  • Education: High school diploma, St. Xavier High School (2003); bachelor's in biology, Harvard University (2007); juris doctor, Yale University (2013)

Experience and public service

Ramaswamy's background is primarily in business and national politics, according to BallotReady profile data and Wikipedia:

  • Co-founder and president, Campus Venture Network (2007–2009)
  • Partner, QVT Financial LP (2007–2014)
  • Founder, Roivant Sciences (2021–2026)
  • Co-founder, Strive Asset Management (2022–2023)
  • Presidential candidate, 2024 Republican primary (February 2023–January 2024)
  • Co-leader (announced, withdrew), Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE (November 2024–Jan. 20, 2025)

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Ramaswamy's campaign website and candidate responses compiled by BallotReady. All are the candidate's own claims.

Taxes and budget: Ramaswamy says he would phase out the state income tax, starting with eliminating capital gains taxes. He also says he would slash property taxes immediately to protect families, seniors and homeowners from being priced out of their communities. He says he would cut government bloat so the state lives within its means.

Education: Ramaswamy says he would implement merit-based pay for all public school teachers, principals, superintendents and administrators. He says that would make Ohio the first state in the nation to do so. He also says he would raise academic standards with a focus on third-grade literacy, eighth-grade numeracy and 12th-grade civics. He says he supports expanding career-technical education and apprenticeships and empowering parents with transparency and meaningful choices over where and how their children learn.

Energy and environment: Ramaswamy says he would expand natural gas and deploy new energy technologies to reduce electric bills for every family. He says he would streamline energy project permits and remove unnecessary regulations so projects get built on time and on budget.

Public safety: Ramaswamy says he would enforce stricter bail and sentencing for repeat violent offenders. He says he would empower local police and sheriffs to arrest violent criminals quickly and decisively. He also says he would address severe psychiatric illness so officers can focus on fighting crime.

Healthcare: Ramaswamy supports Medicaid work requirements.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are listed in BallotReady profile data and Wikipedia, credited to the endorsers:

  • Donald Trump
  • Ohio Republican Party
  • Butler County Republican Party
  • Clermont County Republican Party
  • Franklin County Republican Party
  • Lake County Republican Party
  • Scioto County GOP
  • Strongsville Republican Party
  • Summit County GOP
  • Ohio Value Voters
  • Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio
  • Ohio Right to Life PAC

Editor's note: Ramaswamy has not returned the Mason-Deerfield Times candidate questionnaire. This profile is based on publicly available campaign materials and election data.