Vivek Ramaswamy is at the front of the pack of Republican contenders for the Ohio governor’s seat, a new poll shows.
Ramaswamy has an early advantage over fellow GOP contenders, such as Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and former school board president Heather Hill, according to a survey conducted by Bowling Green State University, Democracy and Public Policy Research Network, and YouGov.
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The poll showed that Ramaswamy received 61% of support from likely GOP primary voters, while Yost received 24%, and Hill came in last at 9%.
The survey was conducted in February before President Donald Trump endorsed Ramaswamy for Ohio’s next governor. The move likely bolstered the gubernatorial candidate’s momentum because the president holds solid margins of support in the Buckeye State.
Ramaswamy, an Ohio native, ran for president during the GOP primary in 2024 before dropping out of the race to endorse Trump for a second term. The president initially tapped him to lead the Department of Government Efficiency alongside Elon Musk.
However, Ramaswamy withdrew from DOGE in January, explaining that running for public office was a better fit for him to change policy.
The former Republican presidential candidate announced his bid for Ohio governor on Feb. 24. He swiftly racked up endorsements from Trump, Musk, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and state Treasurer Robert Sprague. Earlier this month, 21 state sheriffs, including one Democrat, also threw their support behind Ramaswamy.
Yost is seen as Ramaswamy’s leading challenger to win the GOP primary, which is set for May 5, 2026.
The attorney general announced Monday he had the endorsements of 30 county sheriffs from around the state. Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell has also backed Yost.
Betting markets show Ramaswamy holds an overwhelming lead at this point in the race over Yost. Betting odds successfully predicted the 2024 presidential race, calling it in favor of Trump.
RAMASWAMY HAS A GOOD SHOT AT THE OHIO GOVERNORSHIP
Former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton is the only Democrat so far to announce a run for governor. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown and former Rep. Tim Ryan are also considered viable candidates. In the poll released this week, 59% of prospective Democratic Ohio voters backed Brown, 20% went for Acton, and 17% supported Ryan.
However, any Democrat in the race faces long odds, as only one Democrat, Ted Strickland, has ascended to the governor’s mansion in over three decades.