Ohio

R held

Called for D (flip)Dem +4.7closes 7:30 PM ET

Called · 86% in · Acton +5

Lean Dopen seat

Who's running

Vivek RamaswamyR

45.9%86% inLost

Vivek Ramaswamy is a biotech entrepreneur who founded Roivant Sciences and became a billionaire. He ran for president in 2024. He announced for governor in February 2025, and Trump, JD Vance, and Elon Musk endorsed him right away, which cleared out most of the field. He won the May 5 primary with 82 percent. His running mate is state Senate President Rob McColley. He would be Ohio's first Indian American governor.

What they say they'll do

Eliminate the state income tax.
Worked with McColley on a 90-day suspension of the state fuel tax.
Pledges to be "the most conservative governor" in Ohio history.
Supports Issue 3, the voter photo ID amendment.

Amy ActonD

50.8%86% inWon

Amy Acton grew up in Youngstown with a hard childhood. She became a doctor and a public health professor at Ohio State. Gov. Mike DeWine made her state health director in 2019, and she was the face of Ohio's early COVID response. She resigned in June 2020. She has never held elected office. She announced in January 2025 and had no primary opponent. She would be the first woman elected governor of Ohio.

What they say they'll do

A tax cut for working families.
Lower drug prices and relief from medical debt.
Make data centers "pay their fair share."
Supports Issue 3 while pledging to help voters get free ID.

The tea ☕

In the final weeks, Ramaswamy's campaign made a one-minute ad in which Acton's estranged mother calls her a liar about her childhood, and said it would spend $4 million airing it. His campaign manager called it "a campaign-ending moment for Amy Acton." Acton's campaign answered with a video of her brother backing her account.
Republicans turned on the ad. Gov. DeWine called it "deeply, deeply troubling" and asked for it to come down, though he kept his endorsement. Sen. Jon Husted and Secretary of State Frank LaRose said they would not have run it. Ramaswamy's primary rival Casey Putsch said he will vote for Acton. JD Vance said he was "a little bit disgusted" by Republicans "whining." Cook moved the race from Toss Up to Lean D on October 23.
There were no debates. Acton refused, and her campaign calls Ramaswamy a "swindler." The Libertarian nominee called on Ramaswamy to drop out over the ad.
Ramaswamy and his allies had spent $101 million on ads against Acton by mid-October, $36 million of it his own money. Acton's side spent about a third as much.
On September 6, a person lunged at Acton at the Canfield Fair. She was not hurt, and the suspect was charged.
Trump called Acton "a radical left lunatic" at an October 12 rally in Youngstown.

Sources

Ohio House seats: 0 D, 0 R, 15 pending