Ohio Governor’s Race Heats Up: Ramaswamy Leads Fundraising, Acton Gains Ground, Tressel Looms as Potential Wildcard
COLUMBUS, OH – The 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election is already taking shape, with biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy currently leading in fundraising, while former Ohio Department of Health director Amy acton is positioning herself as a strong contender. the race is further complicated by the potential entry of Jim Tressel, the former Ohio State university football coach and current Lieutenant Governor, into the fray.
Ramaswamy’s campaign announced it has raised $9.7 million in just four months, a figure dwarfing the $1.35 million raised by Acton, who reported 33,000 contributions from over 17,000 donors – a record for her campaign. The Ramaswamy campaign dismissed Acton’s fundraising total as “cute.”
despite Ramaswamy’s financial advantage, a February Ohio Public Policy Polling survey showed a remarkably tight race, with Acton holding a slight 45% to 44% lead. However, a meaningful 42% of voters surveyed remained undecided about Acton, compared to 20% undecided about Ramaswamy.The survey also revealed voter preferences regarding candidate backgrounds. A ample 60% margin of voters indicated they would trust a medical doctor (like Acton) over a billionaire biotech executive (like Ramaswamy) on healthcare issues. Furthermore, 40% of respondents said they felt Acton better understood and related to the concerns of Ohioans, compared to 26% for Ramaswamy.
Political analyst David Alexander highlighted the impact of former President Trump’s continued influence in Ohio, noting the state’s shift towards the Republican party. He also raised questions about the potential impact of tariffs on the state’s economy, given Ramaswamy’s alignment with Trump’s policies.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel has not ruled out a run for governor. Appointed by current Governor Mike DeWine earlier this year, Tressel is actively engaging with voters across the state. Alexander suggests that a decline in Trump’s popularity or any scandal involving Ramaswamy could trigger a “draft Tressel” movement. “He doesn’t have a political past. He’s kind of a mainline Republican,” Alexander noted.
Acton’s campaign is emphasizing her background and experience. Campaign manager Philip Stein stated, “Dr. Acton is the candidate to beat corporate billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy in 2026, and Ohio voters are fired up about her candidacy.”
Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has also publicly praised Acton,suggesting she could be an effective governor,even perhaps surpassing the qualifications of current Senators Sherrod Brown and Tim ryan.
The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
