### Ohio Governor Race Heats Up: Ramaswamy and Acton Announce Running Mates In a significant development for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic candidate Amy Acton have officially announced their selections for lieutenant governor. Ramaswamy has chosen Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, while Acton has tapped former Ohio Democratic Party Chair David Pepper. This announcement marks a pivotal moment in the campaign as both candidates solidify their teams ahead of the election, with Governor Mike DeWine endorsing Ramaswamy shortly after the announcement. ### Structure of the Ohio Gubernatorial Race Announcement 1. **Candidates and Their Running Mates** - Vivek Ramaswamy: Selected Rob McColley, a seasoned conservative lawmaker, as his running mate [https://www.cleveland.com/open/2026/01/what-vivek-ramaswamys-and-amy-actons-running-mate-choices-reveal-capitol-letter.html]. - Amy Acton: Chose David Pepper, a former state party chair and local government official, as her running mate [https://www.apnews.com/article/election-2026-ohio-governor-acton-running-mate-51e12df37b43b58d9c389cec7a4ef208]. 2. **Endorsements and Political Implications** - Governor Mike DeWine endorsed Ramaswamy following the announcement of his running mate, indicating strong party support [https://www.10tv.com/article/news/politics/elections/vivek-ramaswamy-endorsement-mike-dewine-ohio-governor-race-2026-election/530-11bde89b-9b2b-4366-b1f3-437809a695da]. - The selections reflect strategic choices aimed at appealing to their respective party bases and broader voter demographics [https://thenyledger.com/news/ohio-governor-race-takes-shape-as-ramaswamy-and-acton-pick-running-mates]. 3. **Background of the Candidates** - Vivek Ramaswamy is a biotech entrepreneur with a previous presidential campaign experience, making this his first run for a state office [https://www.salemnews.net/news/local-news/2026/01/ramaswamy-and-acton-name-running-mates-in-governors-race]. - Amy Acton previously served as Ohio's health director and is recognized for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing a public health perspective to her campaign [https://www.wfmj.com/story/53363933/ohios-front-runners-for-governor-announce-their-running-mates]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Running Mate Profiles** - **Rob McColley**: Current Ohio Senate President, known for his conservative policies and leadership experience [https://www.10tv.com/article/news/politics/elections/vivek-ramaswamy-rob-mccolley-running-mate-lieutenant-governor-ohio-governor-race-2026/530-1ed19e9b-91a3-48db-93f5-c906dbb7e77d]. - **David Pepper**: Former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, with a background in law and local governance, emphasizing pragmatic solutions [https://www.local10.com/news/politics/2026/01/07/ohio-governor-candidate-amy-acton-taps-former-state-democratic-chair-david-pepper-as-running-mate]. ### Conclusion: Key Takeaways from the Running Mate Announcements 1. **Strategic Choices**: Both candidates have made calculated decisions in selecting their running mates, aiming to enhance their appeal to voters. 2. **Political Landscape**: The endorsements and backgrounds of the candidates suggest a competitive race ahead, with both parties mobilizing their resources effectively. 3. **Voter Engagement**: The announcements are expected to energize their respective bases and could influence undecided voters as the election approaches. In summary, the announcement of running mates by Ramaswamy and Acton marks a crucial step in the Ohio gubernatorial race, setting the stage for a dynamic electoral battle in 2026 [https://www.wlwt.com/article/ohio-governor-running-mates-election-ramaswamy-acton/69939129].