Ohio Attorney General Withdraws from Gubernatorial Race Following State GOP Endorsement of Ramaswamy
Heather Hill, an entrepreneur, remains the sole competitor against Ramaswamy in Ohio’s Republican Primary scheduled for next May.
Following the Ohio Republican Party’s endorsement of Vivek Ramaswamy, backed by President Donald Trump, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the suspension of his gubernatorial campaign on May 16.
In a message to his supporters, the 68-year-old Yost expressed his commitment to “continue fighting for Ohio” as attorney general until his term ends in January 2027.
Yost has not yet endorsed his opponent. He criticized the state GOP’s endorsement of Ramaswamy on May 9, calling it “a premature coronation of an untested candidate.”
The Ohio Republican primary is set for May 5, 2026. Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican facing term limits, remarked last week that a year is “a lifetime” in the realm of politics.
Yost conveyed that “a steep climb to the nomination for governor has turned into a vertical cliff.”
“I do not wish to create division within my political party or my state with a quixotic fight over the minor differences between my vision and that of my opponent. I am simply not that significant,” Yost added.
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Amy Acton, who was Ohio’s public health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, is running as a Democrat.
There are growing rumors about former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) considering a run in the Democratic primary. Brown was defeated in the last election by Trump-endorsed Bernie Moreno.
“Sherrod Brown’s comeback attempt poses a significant threat to Ohio’s prosperity. Our state faces challenges ahead, but we are not Washington, D.C. Columbus requires re-engineering, not demolition,” Yost stated.
“The progressive ideas from Sherrod Brown and his party could undo the progress made in Ohio over the last 15 years under Republican leadership. Now is the time to safeguard Ohio, not to engage in a family quarrel,” he further remarked.
On May 16, Ramaswamy lauded Yost following his announcement.
“Congratulations to Dave for conducting a thoughtful campaign. He has dedicated himself to Ohio, and I believe he will continue to be a key player in shaping the future of our state and nation,” Ramaswamy stated.
Vivek Ramaswamy with his wife, Apoorva Ramaswamy, at his gubernatorial announcement on February 24, 2025.Jeff Louderback/The Epoch Times
Ramaswamy declared his candidacy for governor on February 24, a decision anticipated for weeks following his exit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the first day of Trump’s new administration.
Ramaswamy, born to Indian immigrants, attended Harvard University and Yale Law School before finding success as an investment partner with QVT Financial, founding Roivant Sciences, and co-founding Strive Asset Management.
His rise to national prominence began with the release of his 2021 book “Woke Inc: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam.”
During his presidential campaign, Ramaswamy articulated ten core beliefs beginning with “God is real,” and stating “there are two genders,” as outlined in his 2024 book “Truths: The Future of America First.”
He expressed interest in the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Vice President JD Vance, while Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted was seen as the frontrunner until his appointment by DeWine to fill Vance’s seat.
Husted is facing a special election in 2026 to secure his position for the remainder of Vance’s unexpired term. The state GOP also endorsed him on May 9.
Historically, Ohio has been a stronghold for Trump, who won decisively in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Republicans currently hold a supermajority in the state legislature.
Heather Hill is now Ramaswamy’s only opponent in the Republican primary.
“I empathize with the Republican candidates forced to withdraw from the race due to the RNC/GOP’s unfair favoritism toward one candidate,” Hill stated after the May 9 vote.
“I assure Ohioans that I will not surrender. I will relentlessly advocate for my name to be included in the conversation and prioritize the best interests of all Ohioans,” she continued.
Some Republican strategists speculate that former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel will eventually announce his candidacy for governor.
This year, DeWine appointed Tressel as lieutenant governor to take over for Husted, who was selected to succeed Vance in the Senate.
During a news conference about his new role, Tressel was asked about a potential gubernatorial run.
“I haven’t ruled it out, but I also haven’t thought about it much either,” Tressel, who previously served as the president of Youngstown State University in northeast Ohio, expressed. “My focus has been on the responsibilities the governor has for me to learn and fulfill.”
Tressel, who led the Ohio State national championship team in 2002, stated last week that he hasn’t dismissed the idea of running. The filing deadline is February 4.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
