United Republican Ticket Ready to Win in 2026 and Make the American Dream a Reality for All Ohioans
COLUMBUS – Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy today named Rob McColley, Ohio’s Senate President, as his running mate in the 2026 election. The campaign will hold a rally with supporters on Wednesday evening in Cleveland to make the announcement.
“I’m excited to announce Rob McColley as my running mate to be the next lieutenant governor of Ohio,” said Vivek. “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.”
United in their commitment to making Ohio the best state to live, work and raise a family, Vivek and Rob will fight to advance policies that put more money in Ohioans’ pockets, improve education, and crush crime.
“Ohio needs a businessman, not a bureaucrat; a creator, not a quitter; a visionary, not a victim. That leader is Vivek Ramaswamy. He will be one of the boldest leaders in the history of our state, and I’m honored to help execute his vision,” said McColley.
Reflecting on a past meeting with Vivek, McColley added, “The thing that most impressed me about Vivek wasn’t just his accomplishments, but it was watching him interact with his two sons and loving wife. As a man of deep Christian faith, a devoted husband, and a father of three young children myself, that resonates deeply with me. He’s passionate about giving opportunities to the next generation of young Ohioans.”
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. 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). A native of northwest Ohio, McColley resides in Napoleon with his wife Denise, their daughter Anna, and their twin boys Matthew and Michael.
Today’s announcement marks the latest milestone in Vivek’s campaign, which has built unprecedented momentum heading into 2026. Since earning President Donald Trump’s endorsement on the first day of his campaign and quickly consolidating conservative support with the Ohio Republican Party’s endorsement last May, Vivek has visited all 88 Ohio counties and built a broad, energized coalition of conservative lawmakers, business leaders, farmers, truckers, law enforcement officials, and labor organizations that have traditionally supported Democrats. Earlier this week, the campaign announced it raised a record-breaking $9.88 million in the second half of 2025, bringing total fundraising for the year ahead of the election to nearly $20 million—a sum unmatched by any campaign in Ohio history and does not include personal contributions from Vivek himself.
Over the next 10 months, Vivek and Rob will travel Ohio, listening to voters and laying out a bold vision for a brighter future for every Ohioan. For more information, visit VivekForOhio.com.