(Photo: AP)
Indian-origin Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy has won the Republican nomination for Ohio governor, positioning himself for a high-stakes contest in November against Democrat Amy Acton.The biotech entrepreneur secured a comfortable victory over small business owner Casey Putsch in Tuesday’s primary, advancing to the general election in the key Rust Belt state of Ohio.Ramaswamy will now face Acton, the former director of the Ohio Department of Public Health, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The race is expected to be closely watched nationally.In his victory speech, Ramaswamy thanked voters, saying, “for getting us to this point,” and added that, “the real destination is in November.”US President Donald Trump earlier endorsed Ramaswamy and praised him in a post, calling him “something special. he is young, strong, and smart!” In a longer message, Trump said, “Vivek Ramaswamy is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio… I know Vivek well, competed against him, and he is something special. He is Young, Strong, and Smart! Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country… Vivek Ramaswamy will be a great governor of Ohio, and has my complete and total endorsement – he will never let you down!”Laura Loomer also congratulated Ramaswamy on winning the Ohio Republican primary for governor, calling it a major victory.”Tonight was a blow to the Woke Reich and a Tucker backed candidate who attempted to undermine Vivek because he is brown,” she added. Ramaswamy, who gained national attention during his 2024 presidential bid, later backed Trump. His campaign in the primary largely targeted Acton despite facing Republican opponents. Acton, meanwhile, is best known for leading Ohio’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ohio’s current governor, Mike DeWine, is not seeking re-election due to term limits. With both candidates now confirmed, the November election is set to become a major political contest.
