Vivek Ramaswamy Holds Narrow Lead in Ohio Governor’s Race as Trump Campaigns for Him
WASHINGTON–Indian American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy holds a narrow lead over Democrat Amy Acton in Ohio’s gubernatorial race, according to a new industry-sponsored poll, as President Donald Trump prepares to campaign for Ramaswamy in the final days before the November 3 election.
The survey, conducted by Echelon Insights for NetChoice, a technology industry trade association, showed Ramaswamy with 47% support among likely voters, compared with 45% for Acton. Libertarian candidate Don Kissick received 4%.
The poll, conducted October 16-23 among 508 likely voters, had a margin of error of 5.2 percentage points, placing the contest in a statistical tie.
The findings, reported by WSYX/ABC6, suggest a competitive race for Ohio’s top elected office, although a separate survey showed Acton holding a slight advantage.
A poll sponsored by A Fight Worth Having, a super PAC, and conducted by its polling unit, RedBox Research, placed Acton at 48.2% and Ramaswamy at 43.8%.
That survey, conducted October 20-23 among 2,998 likely voters, had a margin of error of 4.6 percentage points.
The same poll also showed Democratic Senate candidate Sherrod Brown leading Republican Sen. Jon Husted by 46.9% to 44.2%.
The competing surveys indicate that neither gubernatorial candidate has established a decisive lead as voters prepare to head to the polls.
Beyond candidate preferences, the Echelon Insights survey identified inflation and the cost of living as the leading concerns among Ohio voters.
About 57% of respondents cited those issues, followed by foreign policy at 24% and health care costs at 21%.
The poll also found that 70% supported State Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring voters to present photo identification, while 28% opposed it.
WSYX noted that the survey “was commissioned by an industry trade association testing public sentiment on tech.”
Meanwhile, Trump is scheduled to appear at a campaign rally Wednesday at the Shoemaker Center on Ohio University Chillicothe’s campus to support Ramaswamy and other Republican candidates.
The event will mark Trump’s third campaign appearance in Ohio this month on behalf of Ramaswamy and Husted, according to WLWT.
Democrats are also stepping up their campaign activities, with Acton and Brown scheduled to hold a rally in Cincinnati at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Ramaswamy has spent the final stretch of the campaign traveling across Ohio on a bus tour, making stops in Noble, Washington, Meigs, Licking and Knox counties.
During a campaign stop in Licking County, he emphasized his support for gun ownership rights.
“The Second Amendment isn’t a recommendation, it’s a right,” Ramaswamy wrote on X.
Both gubernatorial campaigns have also focused on the growing presence of data centers in Ohio, according to the Statehouse News Bureau, reflecting the importance of technology investment and its impact on local communities.
Ramaswamy, a biotechnology entrepreneur and the son of immigrants from Kerala, India, gained national attention during his unsuccessful bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
He subsequently endorsed Trump and has remained a prominent Republican political figure.
If elected, Ramaswamy would become Ohio’s first Indian American governor.
With Election Day approaching on November 3, the latest polling suggests a closely contested race in which voter turnout could play a decisive role. (Source: IANS)
