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Ramaswamy picks running mate in Ohio Governor race
The campaign said McColley will run for lieutenant governor, alongside Ramaswamy.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 10, Jan 2026
- 12:56 EST
- 33
Vivek Ramaswamy/ Rob McColley / Wikipedia
Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Jan. 7 named Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate in the 2026 race for governor.
The campaign said McColley will run for lieutenant governor, with a rally planned in Cleveland to formally present the ticket to supporters.
Also Read: Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign raises nearly $20M in 2025
“I’m excited to announce Rob McColley as my running mate to be the next lieutenant governor of Ohio,” Ramaswamy said in a statement.
“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.”
The campaign said the Ramaswamy-McColley ticket will focus on policies aimed at increasing take-home pay, improving education, and addressing crime, while promoting Ohio as a state to live, work and raise a family.
McColley, who was unanimously elected president of the Ohio Senate in January 2025, said he is joining the ticket because he believes Ramaswamy’s background in business positions him to lead the state.
“Ohio needs a businessman, not a bureaucrat; a creator, not a quitter; a visionary, not a victim. That leader is Vivek Ramaswamy,” McColley said. “He will be one of the boldest leaders in the history of our state, and I’m honored to help execute his vision.”
Reflecting on an earlier meeting with Ramaswamy, McColley said he was struck not only by his accomplishments but by his family life and priorities. He said Ramaswamy’s focus on opportunity for the next generation resonated with him as a husband and father.
First elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2014, McColley has served in the General Assembly for more than a decade and built a legislative record that includes efforts to cut taxes, reduce regulatory requirements and pass legislation aimed at preventing a repeat of statewide shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A native of northwest Ohio, he lives in Napoleon with his wife, Denise, and their three children.
The announcement comes as Ramaswamy’s campaign points to what it describes as growing momentum ahead of the 2026 election. The campaign has cited endorsements from President Donald Trump and the Ohio Republican Party and said Ramaswamy has visited all 88 counties in the state.
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