Resolution criteria

The Republican primary will take place on May 5, 2026. This market resolves YES if Vivek Ramaswamy wins the most votes in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Resolution will be determined by official results from the Ohio Secretary of State's Elections Division at https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/.

Background

Incumbent Republican Governor Mike DeWine is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third consecutive term. Ramaswamy officially launched his campaign for governor of Ohio in February 2025. Ramaswamy raised $9.7 million over the same stretch as his main Democratic opponent, and a super-PAC supporting Ramaswamy reported almost double that amount, led by a $10 million contribution from Pennsylvania billionaire businessman Jeff Yass. The Ohio Republican Party voted to endorse Ramaswamy, with 60 of the central committee members voting to endorse him. A February 2025 poll showed Ramaswamy leading the pack of Republican candidates with 61 percent support from prospective GOP primary voters.

Considerations

Casey Putsch, Heather Hill, and Vivek Ramaswamy are running in the Republican primary for Governor of Ohio on May 5, 2026. However, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, who previously expressed interest in running for governor, bowed out, leaving Ramaswamy as the only candidate in the Republican primary race with widespread support. Ramaswamy faces some hurdles in the GOP primary, including Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's rival campaign, though recent reporting suggests Yost's candidacy status may have changed.