Ramaswamy seeks Ohio governor's office in 2026 race

Vivek Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati-born Republican, is running for Ohio governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Democrat Amy Acton and Libertarian Don Kissick on the ballot.

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

Candidate information

Full name: Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy
Party: Republican
Date of birth: Aug. 9, 1985, in Cincinnati
Family: Married Apoorva Tewari in 2015; three children
Education: 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 in business and national politics, according to BallotReady profile data and Wikipedia:

Roivant Sciences: Founder (2021–2026)
Strive Asset Management: Co-founder (2022–2023)
QVT Financial LP: Partner (2007–2014)
Campus Venture Network: Co-founder and president (2007–2009)
2024 Republican presidential primary: Candidate (February 2023–January 2024)
Department of Government Efficiency: Announced as co-leader in November 2024; withdrew Jan. 20, 2025

On the issues

The following positions come from Ramaswamy's campaign website and candidate responses compiled by BallotReady and WBAL. All statements reflect 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 calls for leaner government.

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

Energy. Ramaswamy says he would expand natural gas production and deploy new energy technologies to reduce electric bills. He says he would streamline energy project permits and remove regulations he considers unnecessary.

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

Healthcare. Ramaswamy says he would institute work requirements for Medicaid in Ohio.