Republican gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has tapped Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his choice for lieutenant governor in the 2026 Ohio governors race, elevating a staunch conservative ally to the statewide ticket.
The campaign plans to formally unveil the ticket at a rally in Cleveland on Wednesday night, underscoring the importance of Ohios largest media market in the coming contest, according to Fox News. The move signals Ramaswamys intent to pair his outsider business credentials with an experienced legislative partner as Republicans seek to keep Ohio firmly in conservative hands.
"Im excited to announce Rob McColley as my running mate to be the next lieutenant governor of Ohio," Ramaswamy said in a statement released ahead of the event. "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," Ramaswamy added, framing the ticket as a vehicle for pro-growth, pro-liberty reforms. His choice reflects a broader Republican strategy of elevating leaders who have pushed back against heavy-handed COVID-era mandates and expansive government regulation.
McColley, a Republican representing Ohio Senate District 1, serves a largely rural and small-town region spanning 11 counties in the northwestern part of the state. His profile aligns with the partys emphasis on traditional values, local control, and economic revitalization outside the major urban centers.
"Throughout his service in the Ohio General Assembly, McColley has earned a reputation as a principled statesman, proven leader, and effective problem-solver focused on delivering real results," Ramaswamys campaign said. "First elected to the Ohio House of Representatives 2014, McColley was unanimously elected to serve as President of the Ohio Senate in January 2025. His record includes slashing government red tape, cutting taxes to spur economic growth, and enacting legislation to prevent a repeat of the COVID-19 shutdowns that Democrat Amy Acton advocated for (after which she quit her role as director of the Ohio Department of Health)," the statement added.
McColley holds degrees from The Ohio State University and the University of Toledo College of Law, credentials that bolster his standing among Republicans who value both professional expertise and constitutional restraint. "Before being elected State Representative, he served in the Community Improvement Corporation of Henry County, where he oversaw economic development efforts for the county and worked to improve local workforce development efforts between manufacturers and schools in Henry and Williams counties," it also said.
The campaign said Ramaswamy and McColley will crisscross Ohio over the next 10 months, making their case to voters ahead of Novembers election and contrasting their free-market, limited-government agenda with Democrat-backed policies of higher regulation and expanded bureaucracy. "Ohio needs a businessman, not a bureaucrat; a creator, not a quitter; a visionary, not a victim. That leader is Vivek Ramaswamy," McColley said in a statement. "He will be one of the boldest leaders in the history of our state, and I'm honored to help execute his vision."
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