COLUMBUS, Ohio (Diya TV) — Vivek Ramaswamy won the Ohio Republican primary for governor on May 5, delivering a decisive victory that cements his position as the party’s nominee heading into the November general election. Ramaswamy, who earned national attention during his 2024 presidential run, secured 82.1% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia. His closest challenger trailed far behind with 17.9%, while several other Republican candidates withdrew before the primary.
Ramaswamy’s win reflects strong support from Republican voters across Ohio. Backed by former President Donald Trump, he ran a campaign focused on economic growth, education reform, and reducing government regulation.
In a statement after his victory, Ramaswamy said he wants to “revive the American Dream” in Ohio. He pledged to lower costs, increase wages, and improve schools. He also thanked supporters for helping him achieve what he described as a historic margin of victory. His campaign emphasized grassroots outreach. Ramaswamy visited all 88 counties in Ohio before the primary, highlighting his effort to connect with voters across urban and rural communities.
Ramaswamy received backing from several prominent Republican figures, including Vice President J.D. Vance. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk also supported his campaign. In addition, multiple labor and agricultural groups endorsed him. These included the Ohio Conference of Teamsters and organizations representing construction workers, farmers, and cattle producers. Their support signaled a broad coalition that spans both business and labor interests.
Ramaswamy will face Democratic candidate Amy Acton in the Nov. 3 general election. Acton is a physician and former director of the Ohio Department of Public Health. She gained statewide recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Political analysts currently rate the race as leaning Republican. The Cook Political Report labeled it “Likely Republican” earlier this year. Its Partisan Voting Index also gives Republicans a slight advantage in Ohio. Still, Acton’s background in public health and her previous statewide role could make the race competitive, especially among moderate and suburban voters.
Ramaswamy, 40, built his career in business before entering politics. He founded Roivant Sciences in 2014, focusing on developing new medicines. He later launched other ventures, including Strive Asset Management. He briefly served in a government role tied to efficiency initiatives alongside Elon Musk before announcing his gubernatorial campaign in February 2025. Ramaswamy has positioned himself as part of a new generation of Republican leadership. At the same time, he aligns closely with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda.
Born and raised in Ohio, Ramaswamy is the son of Indian immigrants. He has often spoken about his Hindu faith and his belief in traditional American values. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in biology and later earned a law degree from Yale University. He then worked in finance before launching his business career. Ramaswamy is married to Dr. Apoorva Ramaswamy, a surgeon. The couple has two sons.
If Ramaswamy wins in November, he would become the third Indian American governor in U.S. history. He would follow Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley, both Republicans.
