Ohio governor race takes shape as Ramaswamy and Acton pick running mates

CLEVELAND — In Ohio's closely watched race for governor, Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic former health chief Amy Acton rolled out their picks for running mate on Wednesday, announcing a seasoned conservative lawmaker for him and an outspoken former party chair for her.

Ramaswamy tapped Ohio Senate President Rob McColley while Acton chose former state Democratic Chair David Pepper. Though neither selection is a household name, each brings experience in elective office to a ticket that previous had none.

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine cannot seek reelection because of term limits.

“I’m an entrepreneur, not a politician," Ramaswamy, a billionaire biotech executive from Cincinnati, said in announcing McColley as his choice. He said he wanted a partner who understands legislating and can help him charge ahead on his aggressive policy agenda.

“He has experience that I don't,” Ramaswamy told a crowd during an upbeat Cleveland introduction event.

McColley, 41, of northwest Ohio, was first elected to the Ohio House in 2014 before being appointed to the Senate to fill a vacancy in December 2017. The campaign touted his efforts to reduce government bureaucracy, cut taxes and fight Acton's COVID-19 orders.

Acton, a physician and former nonprofit executive who helped lead Ohio’s early pandemic response as DeWine's state health director, said Pepper's track record as a problem-solver on Cincinnati City Council and the Hamilton County Commission will serve as an asset to her campaign.

The two held their first joint public appearance during an affordability roundtable in Columbus.

“I’ve been going everywhere and listening deeply for almost two years now, and people are longing for public servants again who solve the problems of our everyday life,” Acton said in an interview. She said that through his city and county roles, Pepper “has faced just about every problem a governor faces.”

The campaign pointed to Pepper's work spearheading a foreclosure prevention program, introducing a prescription drug discount program for county residents, leading an earned income tax credit initiative, helping balance budgets and holding the line on property taxes.

Ramaswamy's team was quick to point out other aspects of Pepper's record.

Chief strategist Jai Chabria called the son of a former Procter & Gamble CEO “a nepo baby” — and cited Pepper's unsuccessful bids for higher office.

“Ohio voters have repeatedly rejected David Pepper for political office, including for mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio auditor of state, and Ohio attorney general, where he managed to get just 38 percent of the vote," Chabria said in a statement.

Speakers at Ramaswamy's rally called Pepper's positions on gender identity and reproductive rights “radical.”

McColley's record in office was also held up to scrutiny Wednesday. The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association pointed to his support for bills banning most abortions in Ohio and creating new hurdles for solar and wind projects as signs the ticket is too extreme.

“Vivek Ramaswamy’s choice of Rob McColley as his running mate tells Ohioans everything they need to know: this ticket is about power and special interests, not lowering costs," Kevin Holst, the group's executive director, said.