Ohio Governor Race Heating Up: Vivek Ramaswamy’s Campaign Blazes Past All Expectations
When you think of a typical Ohio governor race, what usually comes to mind? Local events, modest fundraisers, and campaigns mostly focused on the state? Well, 2026 is shaping up to be anything but typical — and Republican frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy is leading the charge with a campaign that’s more presidential in scale than what you’d expect for a statewide race.
Money Talks — And Ramaswamy’s Campaign Is Louder Than Ever
A fresh campaign finance report dropped recently, and the numbers are eye-popping. Between January and June, Ramaswamy’s campaign pulled in a staggering $9.7 million in donations, with supporters coming from as far-flung places as Guam. That’s nearly unheard of for an Ohio governor’s race, and it’s already setting a new fundraising record.
To put it in perspective, Dr. Amy Acton, the only declared Democratic candidate so far, raised about $1.3 million during the same period — plus an additional $129,000 in July. While that’s actually the highest amount ever raised by a Democratic gubernatorial hopeful in Ohio’s first half of the year, it barely scratches the surface next to Ramaswamy’s haul.
Key point: Even though Acton’s fundraising is impressive for a Democrat in Ohio, it’s less than 15% of what Ramaswamy has gathered.
Why Does This Matter? Cash Equals Coverage
Money alone doesn’t win elections — but it sure does help. In Ohio, a state that’s leaned heavily Republican over the last decade, Ramaswamy’s deep pockets mean he can flood the airwaves with TV ads and digital campaigns designed to paint Acton as inexperienced, despite her reputation as a public health leader.
Acton rose to statewide attention during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic as Ohio’s health director. While she’s a first-time political candidate, her leadership during that crisis earned her respect — but she faces an uphill battle against Ramaswamy’s cash-fueled blitz.
Inside Ramaswamy’s Campaign Machine: Billionaire Moves
Ramaswamy’s campaign finance filings reveal some interesting details about just how he’s spending his money — and how he’s funding his campaign. The Columbus-area billionaire reported spending $203,000 on campaign-related trips via his private jet, paid through personal loans to his own campaign fund.
Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. Ramaswamy has crisscrossed the country, hitting up high-dollar fundraisers in key states like Florida and California. His national name recognition — partly from his 2024 Republican presidential campaign, his frequent TV appearances, and his stint co-chairing President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency alongside Elon Musk — has made him a magnet for big donors.
Out-of-State Support Drives Nearly Half of Ramaswamy’s Fundraising
Here’s a surprising tidbit: over 41% of Ramaswamy’s contributions come from outside Ohio — more than $4 million in out-of-state cash flowing into his campaign.
Notable backers include executives from DraftKings, the sports-betting giant, who, along with their spouses, have contributed nearly $97,000. Then there are the checks from billionaire GOP megadonor Richard Uihlein and his wife — two checks for $16,615 each from Illinois. Palmer Luckey and his wife chipped in the same amount; Luckey is the co-founder of Anduril Industries, which is building a massive weapons manufacturing plant right outside Columbus.
This mix of national and local support underscores Ramaswamy’s broad appeal among wealthy donors both inside and outside Ohio.
Ohio’s Business Elite Backing Ramaswamy
Even within Ohio, Ramaswamy’s fundraising network is impressive. Animal-feed CEO Paul Kalmbach and his wife from Upper Sandusky each donated $16,600. Cincinnati Bengals executives Troy Blackburn and Michael Brown kicked in $15,000 apiece, while Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini and his wife Susan contributed $12,500 each.
These contributions reflect strong ties to Ohio’s business and sports communities, adding heft to Ramaswamy’s campaign.
Acton’s Donors: Local Roots and Liberal Support
Turning to Dr. Amy Acton, more than 83% of her fundraising dollars come from Ohio donors. This tight local base includes big contributions from Anthony Paparella of Akron, founder of healthcare data firm Mediquant, and his wife. Jeffrey Cristal, a real estate executive with Newmark, and Michael Cristal, former risk management firm head, also rank among her top supporters.
Her support base tends to be rooted in liberal Ohioans and those opposed to President Trump and the state’s GOP policies. Acton benefits from being the only declared Democrat in the governor’s race so far, which has given her a clearer path to tap into the Democratic base’s enthusiasm.
But Challenges Loom for Acton
Despite her fundraising and profile, Acton faces some steep hurdles. Ohio’s political climate hasn’t been kind to Democrats recently, and skepticism remains over whether the party can take back the governor’s office.
Additionally, the possible entry of ex-U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown — a Bexley resident and popular figure among Ohio Democrats — could complicate the race. Brown has publicly said he’s still considering a run, and his decision could reshape the dynamics of the Democratic primary.
The Race Is Wide Open — Here’s Why It Matters
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, is term-limited and cannot run again next year, leaving the governor’s seat wide open. This creates a rare opportunity for both parties to try and make their mark on the state’s future.
With Ramaswamy’s record-breaking fundraising and national profile, and Acton’s strong local base and Democratic enthusiasm, the 2026 race promises to be one of the most watched and expensive Ohio gubernatorial contests in recent memory.
Quick Recap & What to Watch
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Ramaswamy’s fundraising: $9.7 million in six months, with 41% from outside Ohio
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Acton’s fundraising: $1.3 million Jan-June + $129k July, mostly Ohio-based
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Ramaswamy’s campaign style: Billionaire-funded, private jet trips, national fundraisers
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Acton’s strength: Local support, healthcare background, only declared Democrat so far
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Potential wildcard: Sherrod Brown’s possible entry into the Democratic primary
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Open governor’s seat: DeWine term-limited, making 2026 a wide-open race
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