Ramaswamy sets Ohio record with $9 million for governor's race; Acton at $1.4 million

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has set an Ohio fundraising record in 2026's gubernatorial race, while Democrat Amy Acton trails more than $8 million behind.

Ramaswamy raised $9.7 million from 40,000 donors between the start of his campaign in February and the end of June, Ohio campaign finance records show. Jonathan Ewing, campaign manager for the billionaire and his 2024 presidential candidacy, said the haul set a record for the largest first-quarter fundraising total in Ohio history. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Ramaswamy's gubernatorial run in the video player above.

"Raising this historic amount in just four months sends a powerful message: Ohioans are eager for bold, transformative leadership," Ewing said in a release. "The remarkable surge of support in the final week of the quarter exceeded all expectations, proving that Vivek is uniting people across the state and is ready to usher in a new era of prosperity and opportunity."

The previous record was held by former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who raised $7.2 million in 2023 during the first months of his failed reelection campaign. Brown, who was defeated last fall by Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno and was eyeing a possible gubernatorial run, is said to be entering the 2026 race against Republican Sen. Jon Husted, according to multiple media outlets.

Meanwhile, Acton raised $1.4 million between the start of her campaign in January and the end of June, campaign finance records show. The former department of health director's haul came from 17,000 donors who made nearly 33,000 donations, both records for a Democratic candidate for governor at this point in the election cycle, her campaign said.

"While Vivek Ramaswamy continues to rely on personal wealth and billionaire donors to fund his race, Amy is proud of the tens of thousands of small-dollar donations from grassroots supporters in all 88 counties," Philip Stein, Acton's campaign manager, said in a release. "We're excited to continue to bring people together from all sides of the political spectrum who know she's the right choice for governor."

Ramaswamy's top donors include Jim Moline, president of Toledo-based construction company Moline Builders, with $31,000; George Fisher, owner of Cavalier Distributing in Cincinnati, with $28,000; and Mackenzie Price, co-founder of an "AI-powered" private school in Austin, Texas, with $17,000. Acton received $16,000 from several donors, more than $15,000 from a chapter of the Ohio Civil Service Employee Association, $5,000 from a steel worker union, and $1,000 from political action committee called "Safer, Greener, Cleaner."

Although Ramaswamy holds a sizeable financial lead over Acton, the former department of health director's campaign argues she "has a clear path to victory," citing recent polling from Impact Research that shows the two are statistically tied.

"Every day on the campaign trail, Amy hears from Ohioans impacted by high costs and health care cuts who are ready for change," Stein said. "They know that someone who rose from a tough childhood in Youngstown to be a doctor, saving lives in Ohio and beyond, understands what they are going through and will fight for them. And that's exactly what Dr. Acton will do as governor."

Ramaswamy boasts endorsements from the Ohio Republican Party and President Donald Trump, who wrote on social media in late February that the candidate is "something special."

"Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country," Trump said. "He will be a great governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my complete and total endorsement."