COLUMBUS — The Ohio Republican Party announced Friday it has officially endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for Governor.
The State Central Committee voted 60-3, with one abstention, in favor of his candidacy during their Friday meeting.
Ramaswamy spoke in Mansfield on Thursday night, prior to the endorsement.
The state party endorsement follows President Donald Trump’s Day One endorsement of Ramaswamy’s campaign, along with the support of over 90 conservative leaders across Ohio and the nation.
The endorsement arrives a full year ahead of the party’s primary vote in a race that also includes current state Attorney General Dave Yost and could include Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel.
Current Gov. Mike DeWine reportedly sought to delay the party endorsement, which would have required support from two-thirds of the governing body’s 66 members. Speculation was that DeWine’s alleged behind-the-scenes moves were an effort to buy time to allow Tressel to enter the race.
“The Committee’s decision to endorse reflects the groundswell of grassroots enthusiasm propelling Vivek’s candidacy,” the GOP stated in a press release.
Throughout the spring, Ramaswamy has headlined more than 30 GOP county dinners and visited 56 counties, drawing packed crowds in every region of the state.
“I’m honored to receive the official endorsement from the Ohio Republican Party to be the next Governor of Ohio and grateful for today’s supermajority vote from the Republican State Central Committee,” Ramaswamy said.
“A special thank you to President Trump; Senator Bernie Moreno; members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation, including Jim Jordan, Warren Davidson, Michael Rulli, and Dave Taylor; Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose; Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague; Ohio Senate President Robert McColley; and the majorities of the Republican caucuses in both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly — all of whom supported me early in this campaign.”
For nearly 15 years, Republican leaders have positioned Ohio for sustained success through strong conservative governance, the party stated. Thanks to their work — including tax cuts, regulatory reform, and other policies that promote economic growth and freedom—Ohio is well-positioned to enter a new era of opportunity.
Ramaswamy’s candidacy would build on that foundation, bringing fresh ideas and new energy to the task of leading the state to the next level, the GOP press release states.
“I am running to lead and improve the lives of all Ohioans, regardless of their race, gender, creed, or partisan affiliation,” the candidate said. “Over the next year, my wife Apoorva and I will listen not just to the Ohioans who already support us, but also to those whose support we will have to work hard to earn.
“We will work tirelessly to earn the privilege of leading Ohio to our greatest days ahead.”
Following recent polling that shows Ramaswamy commanding a lead of more than 60 points over any potential GOP primary opponent — and standing as the only Republican candidate with a statistically significant lead over Democratic contenders in the general election — the endorsement from the State Central Committee is seen as a significant path in his path to lead Ohio as its next governor.