Decision Desk HQ has called the Ohio Governor's Race. With 87 percent of precincts reporting, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has defeated his Republican challenger, YouTuber and car designer Casey Putsch, to move to the November 2026 general election.
Decision Desk HQ projects Vivek Ramaswamy wins the OH Governor Republican Primary#DecisionMade: 7:37 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/46id0O4aAL
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) May 5, 2026
Ohio Governor Republican Primary:
— VoteHub (@VoteHub) May 5, 2026
We have called the race for Vivek Ramaswamy.
🔴 Vivek Ramaswamy – 8,113 (87.1%) ✓
🔴 Casey Putsch – 1,197 (12.9%)
Votes via @DecisionDeskHQ.
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy has won Ohio’s Republican primary for governor, NBC News projects, advancing to what could be an expensive and competitive general election in a state that has been brutal for Democrats in recent elections.
Amy Acton, a former state health director, won the Democratic nomination Tuesday without opposition.
Ramaswamy, 40, defeated Casey Putsch, a political novice known for his “car guy” videos on YouTube. Putsch’s campaign played out largely through social media missives, some of them targeting Ramaswamy’s Indian American heritage. A third GOP candidate, Heather Hill, was removed from the ballot under a provision in state law after her running mate for lieutenant governor withdrew from the race.
Ramaswamy’s running mate for lieutenant governor is state Senate President Rob McColley. Acton is running with David Pepper, a former Ohio Democratic Party chair and past nominee for state attorney general and auditor.
Read More: LIVE: Election Results - Indiana and Ohio
Ramaswamy will face Dr. Amy Acton in November. Acton's claim to fame was that she led the COVID-19 response as health director of the state. Acton's platform is the usual progressive diatribes against billionaires and special interests. Acton claims she will lower costs, fight corruption, and make Ohio a fair state for all.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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