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Ohio governor race takes shape as Ramaswamy and Acton pick running mates

CLEVELAND (AP) — In Ohio’s closely watched race for governor, Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic former health chief Amy Acton rolled out their picks for running mate on Wednesday, announcing a seasoned conservative lawmaker for him and an outspoken former party chair for her.

Ramaswamy tapped Ohio Senate President Rob McColley while Acton chose former state Democratic Chair David Pepper. Though neither selection is a household name, each brings experience in elective office to a ticket that previous had none.

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine cannot seek reelection because of term limits.

“I’m an entrepreneur, not a politician,” Ramaswamy, a billionaire biotech executive from Cincinnati, said in announcing McColley as his choice. He said he wanted a partner who understands legislating and can help him charge ahead on his aggressive policy agenda.

“He has experience that I don’t,” Ramaswamy told a crowd during an upbeat Cleveland introduction event.

McColley, 41, of northwest Ohio, was first elected to the Ohio House in 2014 before being appointed to the Senate to fill a vacancy in December 2017. The campaign touted his efforts to reduce government bureaucracy, cut taxes and fight Acton’s COVID-19 orders.

Acton, a physician and former nonprofit executive who helped lead Ohio’s early pandemic response as DeWine’s state health director, said Pepper’s track record as a problem-solver on Cincinnati City Council and the Hamilton County Commission will serve as an asset to her campaign.

The two held their first joint public appearance during an affordability roundtable in Columbus.

“I’ve been going everywhere and listening deeply for almost two years now, and people are longing for public servants again who solve the problems of our everyday life,” Acton said in an interview. She said that through his city and county roles, Pepper “has faced just about every problem a governor faces.”

The campaign pointed to Pepper’s work spearheading a foreclosure prevention program, introducing a prescription drug discount program for county residents, leading an earned income tax credit initiative, helping balance budgets and holding the line on property taxes.

Ramaswamy’s team was quick to point out other aspects of Pepper’s record.

Chief strategist Jai Chabria called the son of a former Procter & Gamble CEO “a nepo baby” — and cited Pepper’s unsuccessful bids for higher office.

“Ohio voters have repeatedly rejected David Pepper for political office, including for mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio auditor of state, and Ohio attorney general, where he managed to get just 38 percent of the vote,” Chabria said in a statement.

Speakers at Ramaswamy’s rally called Pepper’s positions on gender identity and reproductive rights “radical.”

McColley’s record in office was also held up to scrutiny Wednesday. The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association pointed to his support for bills banning most abortions in Ohio and creating new hurdles for solar and wind projects as signs the ticket is too extreme.

“Vivek Ramaswamy’s choice of Rob McColley as his running mate tells Ohioans everything they need to know: this ticket is about power and special interests, not lowering costs,” Kevin Holst, the group’s executive director, said.

McConnell says after weeks of speculation that hospitalization was due to a fall

By WTOP Staff
(CNN) — Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on Sunday announced, after weeks of speculation, that he had a fall last month that landed him in the hospital.“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia,” he said in a statement.McConnell also provided a photo showing him smiling next to his wife, Elaine Chao. He appears to have a copy of Sunday’s Washington Post sports section on his lap.McConnell said he’s moved from a hospital to a rehabilitation center to continue regaining his strength. His doctors have run through “every test they can think of” to try to determine what caused the incident.The former Senate majority leader said he “won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet” but he’s “been working closely” with legislative staff in the meantime.The statement comes after weeks of questions over McConnell’s health, as aides for the 84-year-old were fiercely protective about releasing information on his condition. The lack of information sparked speculation and rumors online that his health had significantly deteriorated.McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, has faced a series of health issues in recent years, including multiple falls. In 2023, he froze midsentence during a news conference.Along with his own statement, McConnell included a note from the attending physician of Congress, who described the injuries after the fall at his Washington, DC, home as “minor.”“A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team determined that he had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage. Early in his hospitalization, he developed pneumonia, which responded rapidly to antibiotic treatment,” the physician said, adding that the senator has “focused on physical therapy and strategies to reduce his risk of future falls.”Sunday’s statement finally provides an answer to the circumstances of McConnell’s hospitalization on June 14, which has been shrouded in mystery.In his statement, McConnell indirectly addressed why it took so long to share what sent him to the hospital.“You all know how folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older. Even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct — I can’t help it,” he said, addressing his “fellow Kentuckians.”McConnell said he has work to do before retiring at the end of his term.“You’re right to expect your representatives to work hard for you. And part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work. But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do,” he said.When the incident occurred, his spokesperson said only that McConnell was “admitted to the hospital” and was “receiving excellent care.”Video obtained exclusively by CNN last week showed emergency responders taking McConnell to an ambulance on a stretcher after being called to his home.Weeks into McConnell’s absence, an EMS recording published by an independent journalist indicated emergency responders were called to his home for an “unconscious” person for a “cardiac arrest,” and a paramedic is heard saying, “CPR in progress.”After the audio was published, McConnell’s spokesman released another statement saying the Kentucky Republican remained hospitalized as “he continues his recovery” without providing specifics.Some high-profile Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, issued statements last week saying they recently spoke with McConnell. CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings told CNN’s Kasie Hunt on “The Arena” that he talked with McConnell on the phone Tuesday and that his “voice sounded strong.”“I’ve had more than my share of experience with physical vulnerabilities,” McConnell said in his statement Sunday.In March 2023, he suffered a concussion and broken ribs after a fall. Months later, he froze midsentence during a news conference. CNN later reported he had suffered two other falls earlier that year.The attending physician noted that “McConnell has experienced several falls throughout the year that have been attributed to his post-polio condition.”Adults who had polio during childhood can develop post-polio syndrome even decades later. Symptoms include gradual weakening of muscles, fatigue, and muscle and joint paint. There is no specific treatment for post-polio syndrome, but patients may receive physical, occupational and speech therapy, medications for certain symptoms or use mobility aids such as walkers and braces.It’s not clear how common post-polio syndrome is, but some studies estimate 25% to 40% of polio survivors experience it, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.McConnell’s statement came the same day it was announced that his colleague Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican senator from South Carolina, died following a sudden illness. He was 71.This story has been updated with additional information.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
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