Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has lost the Ohio governor’s race to Democrat Amy Acton, dealing a setback to President Donald Trump’s efforts to retain Republican control of the state and ending Ramaswamy’s bid to enter elected office.
Acton defeated Ramaswamy in a contest that attracted national attention because of the Republican candidate’s high profile, personal wealth and close ties to Trump. Her victory ends a 20-year Republican hold on Ohio’s governorship, according to the Associated Press.
Ramaswamy, 41, a billionaire biotechnology entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, had secured Trump’s endorsement and backing from prominent Republican strategists, including figures associated with the president and Vice President JD Vance.
Despite the support, Ramaswamy could not overcome Democratic momentum in a state that has backed Trump in three consecutive presidential elections.
Controversial Attack Ad Draws Backlash
Ramaswamy’s campaign came under intense criticism in the closing weeks after spending $4 million on an advertisement featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who called her daughter a liar and urged Ohio voters not to elect her.
The advertisement triggered bipartisan backlash, with critics accusing the campaign of exploiting Acton’s painful family history.
Acton has said she has not seen or spoken to her mother in nearly 50 years. She has also alleged that her mother’s then-husband sexually abused her as a child. The man was indicted on rape charges.
The advertisement did not detail the abuse allegations, but its use of Acton’s estranged mother drew condemnation from political figures, including outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine.
Ramaswamy refused to withdraw the advertisement or apologise.
At an October 24 rally, Acton accused her rival of using her childhood experiences to rescue his campaign.
“My opponent has chosen to exploit, intentionally, my childhood to save his struggling campaign, but it’s not going to work,” she said.
Wealth and Private Jet Travel Become Campaign Issues
Ramaswamy’s financial resources and lifestyle also became subjects of political criticism during the race.
He invested heavily in his campaign, while a pro-Ramaswamy political action committee received contributions from wealthy donors, including billionaire Elon Musk and investor Jeffrey Yass.
Musk contributed at least $5 million to a Ramaswamy-aligned political action committee, according to an Associated Press report.
Ramaswamy’s use of a private jet while campaigning across Ohio also attracted criticism, including from some Republicans, as Acton sought to portray him as disconnected from voters facing rising living costs.
Ramaswamy pledged to reduce property taxes and phase out Ohio’s state income tax, making tax cuts a central part of his campaign.
Republican Primary Reveals Divisions
Ramaswamy’s path to the Republican nomination was not without challenges.
His candidacy prompted unease among some established Republicans after DeWine appointed his lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, to the US Senate, reshaping the contest for the governorship.
Several Republican politicians, including the state attorney general and treasurer, had to reconsider their political plans.
Ramaswamy also faced a challenge from Casey Putsch, a vehicle designer and YouTube personality known as “The Car Guy”, who attracted support among sections of the party’s working-class base.
Putsch secured nearly 18 per cent of the Republican primary vote despite spending approximately $130,000 on his campaign. He also directed ethnic and religious attacks at Ramaswamy, who is Hindu, and later announced that he planned to vote for Acton.
Ramaswamy had previously acknowledged facing racism and bigotry online during his political campaign and said he had deleted social media applications from his phone.
From Presidential Bid to Ohio Defeat
Ramaswamy gained national recognition during his unsuccessful campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, when he positioned himself as a prominent conservative voice and later supported Trump.
His Ohio gubernatorial campaign represented another attempt to translate his national profile and political connections into electoral success.
Trump travelled to Ohio to campaign for him, despite recalling their rivalry during the Republican presidential primary.
“He was not easy,” Trump said at an October rally. “This one was not easy. He was a nasty guy. But you know what? He was smart. He loves the state. He’s actually got a great heart.”
Ramaswamy’s defeat leaves Democrat Amy Acton set to become Ohio’s first woman elected governor. Acton, a physician and former state health director, will succeed term-limited Governor Mike DeWine.
