Acton, Ramaswamy name running mates in race for Ohio governor

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy chose Rob McColley, current term-limited president of the Ohio Senate who is from northwest Ohio.

Acton explained her choice in a release: “We both share a lifelong commitment to fighting for Ohio’s working families and making our state a more affordable place to live for all of us. David is an innovative and pragmatic leader who has been laser focused on delivering for Ohioans for his entire career, from reducing the property tax rate for Cincinnatians to tackling foreclosures during the 2008 recession,” she said.

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Ramaswamy announced his choice Wednesday as well: “I’m an entrepreneur, not a politician, and selected Rob to be a governing partner who can help advance our ambitious legislative agenda. Rob is a proven conservative leader, and he is committed to my vision to make the American Dream a reality for every Ohioan,” Ramaswamy said.

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Rob McColley

McColley, an attorney from Napoleon serving his second term in the Ohio Senate, has led the GOP-dominated chamber since early 2025.

Now a year into his post as Senate president, his chamber has produced laws that tweak the state’s recreational marijuana laws and outlaw the sale of intoxicating hemp products outside dispensaries; to reform college campuses and snuff out DEI programs at public universities; to eliminate the state’s four-day post-election grace period for mail-in ballots; among other initiatives and proposals still working through the legislature.

McColley joined the Ohio Senate after serving one term in the House. He took over an empty seat in 2017 and held on to his office in 2018 and 2022 elections. This will be his first time running for statewide office.

Ramaswamy’s choice was applauded by Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday, who issued his first public endorsement for Ramaswamy following the confirmation of McColley as LG candidate.

“The first important decision any governor makes is who will be his or her choice for lieutenant governor,” DeWine said in a press release. “Vivek Ramaswamy has made a great pick in Senate President Rob McColley to be his running mate. Senate President McColley is a strong leader who is well respected by the members of the General Assembly. He knows Ohio and brings geographical balance to the ticket.”

DeWine took longer than most in the GOP sphere to embrace Ramaswamy’s candidacy, saying last month that he wanted to have more conversation with the Republican front-runner before issuing an endorsement but noting that he’d eventually endorse “the Republican nominee.”

DeWine said on Wednesday: “With the election year upon us, I am joining Republicans across Ohio in supporting our dynamic ticket for Governor, led by Vivek Ramaswamy. Ohio is winning new business projects from the coasts, and Vivek will keep the momentum going. Vivek Ramaswamy knows that Ohio is the best state to build a business, raise a family, and pursue your vision of the American dream.”

David Pepper

Pepper, also an attorney, rounds out the gubernatorial ticket for the Democrats. Pepper served as chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party for six years before stepping down in 2020.

This outlet reported at the time that Pepper touted the party’s success on the Ohio Supreme Court, having won three seats in statewide races, and the 2018 re-election of Sherrod Brown to the U.S. Senate under his reign.

His last foray into politics as a candidate came in a 2014 bid for Ohio Attorney General, where he lost by a wide margin to DeWine, who was the incumbent at the time. He ran a closer race in 2010 for Ohio auditor, losing out to Dave Yost, now a fixture in Ohio’s executive offices, by a margin of five points.

Pepper posted on social media Wednesday saying he was “honored and humbled” to join Acton’s ticket.

“Amy is the only candidate in this race who will tackle our affordability crisis and work to lower costs, clean up the corruption, and invest to create world-class public schools, so we can finally put working families first, not billionaires or special interests,” Pepper said.