Republican Ohio gubernatorial contender Vivek Ramaswamy, joined by his sons Karthik and Arjun and his spouse Apoorva Ramaswamy, addresses attendees at a viewing celebration at the Spruce St. Sporting sports pub following his triumph in the party’s primary on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, located in Columbus.Carolyn Kaster/AP
Businessperson and former Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy is projected by ABC News to secure the GOP primary for Ohio governor.
Ramaswamy will encounter Democrat Amy Acton in the November general election. Acton, running without opposition, rose to prominence within the state for spearheading the initial countermeasures against the COVID-19 pandemic following her designation as the state’s foremost health official by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
Moreover, ABC News forecasts that former Sen. Sherrod Brown will prevail in the Democratic Senate primary in the state and will challenge Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who was designated to complete the remaining tenure of Vice President JD Vance.
Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, alongside his sons Karthik and Arjun and his wife Apoorva Ramaswamy, speaks during a watch party at the Spruce St. Sporting sports bar after winning the party’s nomination on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Columbus.Carolyn Kaster/AP
Brown, having relinquished his Senate position to now-GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno in 2024, handily bested his primary adversary Ron Kinkaid, who garnered less than $50,000 for his endeavor.
Although Ohio features only a limited number of closely contested primaries this electoral cycle, they are poised to establish the groundwork for several pivotal races in the general election, potentially influencing which party gains control of Congress in the approaching year.
Governor's race
Ramaswamy effectively cleared the Republican field early on, bolstered by an endorsement from Trump in the preceding year. He has channeled substantial sums into his own campaign, encompassing a $25 million loan dispensed just last month. The president reaffirmed his backing for Ramaswamy through a declaration on Truth Social, portraying him as "Young, Strong, and Smart" and "something SPECIAL."
Ramaswamy soundly defeated auto engineer Casey Putsch, who boasts a noteworthy Youtube following for his features on vintage vehicles yet failed to amass considerable funding or secure significant endorsements.
During his victory discourse, Ramaswamy defended his position against criticisms from his rival concerning his personal affluence, stating, "I champion the celebration of accomplishment. Conversely, my opponent in this race leans toward vilifying success. She will persistently remind you of my billionaire status, while I will emphasize that I was not born a billionaire, nor a millionaire, nor any kind of ‘aire.’"
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton speaks at a primary election night campaign event after winning the party’s nomination for governor in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.Jay Laprete/AP
Acton's address prominently featured elements of her personal narrative, underscoring her tenure in foster care and encounters with homelessness throughout her formative years, while concentrating on issues pertaining to affordability, remarking, "I empathize with the struggles faced by Ohioans, who require an advocate dedicated to their cause, contrasting with the interests of self-funded billionaires. Our commitment lies in championing the affordability of Ohio once more."
Acton alluded to a contentious 2024 social media communication by Ramaswamy, wherein he contended that American culture "reveres mediocrity" and harbors tolerance for indolence.
"My opponent asserts that individuals exhibit laziness, display mediocrity, and lack diligence. Such qualities, however, are not emblematic of the Ohioans I am acquainted with."
Senate race
The Brown-Husted Senate contest is anticipated to rank among the nation’s most closely fought battles — potentially the most costly.
Brown amassed nearly 500 times the funding procured by Kincaid and has already secured the endorsement of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Additionally, an independent and a libertarian contender are listed on November's ballot.
The Cook Political Report designates the race as a Toss Up. Brown has accumulated more than three times the monetary resources of Husted and possesses twice the available cash.
The Republican Senate Leadership Fund has executed a substantial commitment in the race, divulging its intentions to allocate $79 million in support of Husted, surpassing any other Senate race this year.
Democratic Ohio Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, a former three-term U.S. senator, speaks at a primary election night campaign event after winning the party’s primary in Cleveland on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.Sue Ogrocki/AP
The Senate Majority PAC, which backs Democratic candidates, announced an initial reservation of $40 million for TV ads to support Brown.
The political advertising tracking corporation AdImpact reported in the preceding year that Ohio's 2024 Senate race emerged as the most extravagant non-presidential race it had scrutinized.
Brown ceded his seat to Moreno in 2024 by a margin of fewer than 200,000 votes and surpassed Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris' statewide performance by 3 points.
U.S. House 1st District
AP has not yet issued forecasts concerning the state's 1st District, encompassing the Cincinnati vicinity.
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman confronts a formidable challenge in his effort to retain his position come November after redistricting altered the district from one that Harris secured by a margin of 6 points in 2024 to one she would have forfeited by 2.5 points. The Cook Political Report designates the race as a Toss Up.
Landsman encountered a progressive primary challenger who voiced disapproval of his stance on Israel, though Landsman possessed a significant financial advantage in the race.
On the Republican side, Trump-backed former CIA officer Eric Conroy was widely tipped to secure the primary amid a cohort of three other contenders, one of whom withdrew subsequent to Trump's endorsement, yet remains listed on the ballot. Conroy likewise garners the backing of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which has already publicly committed investments to the race.
U.S. House 9th District
Former State Rep. Derrick Merrin is projected by ABC News to win the Republican primary for the 9th District. He'll face Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, who he narrowly lost to in 2024.
Kaptur ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Ohio's novel congressional boundaries repositioned Kaptur's district from one that Trump clinched in 2024 by 7 points to one that he would have captured by 11 points.
In a statement released subsequent to the race being called, Merrin proclaimed, "Northwest Ohio stands ready for renewed leadership. Consequently, we are poised to topple Marcy Kaptur this November."
Kaptur's campaign divulged in a statement that she "embarks on the general election from a position of strength — boasting over $3 million in available funds, profound grassroots allegiance spanning all 10 counties of Ohio's reconstructed 9th District, and a proven performance record of serving the populace she represents."
"Northwest Ohio voters previously turned down Merrin in 2024, and his documented actions have merely grown more extreme since then," the statement elucidated.
The prospective opportunity for acquisition attracted a crowded field of Republican candidates, including former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deputy Director Madison Sheahan, who exited the department earlier this year preceding the departure of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
While Sheahan garnered considerable national consideration, numerous local officials, incorporating Secretary of State Frank LaRose, endorsed State Rep. Josh Williams. He and Merrin amassed the greatest financial contributions throughout the race.
Trump did not endorse a candidate in the 9th District.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com