Ramaswamy heaps praise on running mate McColley during campaign rally in Cleveland
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy formally introduced his running mate, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, during a Wednesday evening rally in Cleveland, Ohio, vowing to “quickly, rapidly, surgically, unapologetically” turn his “vision into legislation.”
“I believe with that goal in mind, not the goal of virtue signaling to anyone, but the goal of actually getting things done, there is no better person in this state to achieve that with me and for me than our Senate President Rob McColley,” Ramaswamy said.
Thank you, Cleveland! Ready to win in ’26. pic.twitter.com/U7UmC6rtg4
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 8, 2026
The presumptive Republican nominee touted McColley’s experience in the Ohio House and Senate, as well as his current role as the president of the Senate, as qualifications for helping to carry out his campaign promises.
“I’m not a politician, and I don’t aspire to be one,” Ramaswamy said. “I’ll serve as the governor of this state, but I’m an entrepreneur at heart, and I’m proud of that.”
“I’m going to need a governing partner who is going to help me achieve those legislative victories; that is where the rubber will ultimately meet the road, starting in the first few months after we are sworn into office,” he added.
McColley, R-Napoleon, spoke after Ramaswamy and highlighted how he believes the gubernatorial candidate’s background in business makes him a better option than other candidates, such as Democrat and former Director of the Department of Health, Amy Acton.
“My biggest mistake was voting to appoint Amy Acton as Ohio Health Director.” -Rob McColley pic.twitter.com/th4AwCbcss
— Ohio.news (@RealOhioNews) January 8, 2026
“He understands that bureaucrats, like Amy Acton, may cry crocodile tears, and they may say that they appreciate the problems facing Ohioans, but in reality, they just want to advance the radical liberal policies that have made states like Minnesota what they are,” McColley said. “He understands that as a business creator, you need to be able to walk the walk and talk the talk to bring investment to the state of Ohio.”
Ramaswamy announced McColley as his running mate on Wednesday morning in a press release on his campaign website. On Wednesday, Acton announced that former Ohio Democratic Party chair David Pepper will be her running mate.
When legislators demanded accountability, Amy Acton QUIT.
When parents pleaded for their kids to return to school, Amy Acton QUIT.
When businesses needed flexibility to operate, Amy Acton QUIT.
When families with loved ones in nursing homes begged for relief, Amy Acton QUIT. pic.twitter.com/xtK6uuLjtd
— Senator Rob McColley (@Rob_McColley) January 8, 2026
