Political winds are shifting faster than a Buckeye storm as Republican gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy racks up nearly $220,000 from donors who once backed Democrat Tim Ryan.
Fox News reported that once loyal to Ryan, a former congressman from Youngstown, these prominent business leaders are now placing their bets on Ramaswamy for the 2026 gubernatorial race, signaling a dramatic realignment in Ohio’s political landscape.
Ramaswamy kicked off his campaign on February 24, 2025, at CTL Aerospace in Cincinnati, wasting no time in drawing attention and dollars from across the state. His fresh face, at just 40 years old, seems to be striking a chord with those tired of the same old political promises. It’s a bold start for a candidate pitching himself as the herald of a new leadership era.
Among the defectors to Ramaswamy’s camp are heavy hitters like Caryn and Sam Covelli from Mahoning Valley, who shelled out $10,000 after previously giving over $59,000 to Ryan. Then there’s Bruce Zoldan, a Youngstown-area business leader, who chipped in $5,000 despite a history of more than $53,000 in contributions to Ryan. Talk about a pivot—apparently, Ramaswamy’s message of growth is more enticing than the status quo.
Other notable switches include Adam Thomarios, who donated $10,000 and is set to host a fundraiser in Akron this October, after giving nearly $17,000 to Ryan in the past. Anthony Manna also jumped ship with a $10,000 contribution, having previously supported Ryan to the tune of nearly $25,000 over several years. These aren’t just small fry; they’re signaling a broader dissatisfaction with traditional political fare.
Regina Mitchell, another former Ryan backer, hosted a fundraiser and contributed over $13,600 to Ramaswamy after a modest $2,700 donation to Ryan in 2017. Jeff Edwards and his wife Lisa, from Columbus-based Edwards Companies and Installed Building Products, added roughly $33,000 to Ramaswamy’s coffers this cycle after a $5,800 nod to Ryan in 2022. The donor class in Ohio is looking for something—or someone—new.
Ramaswamy’s financial haul is nothing short of staggering, with his campaign reporting $9.7 million raised between February and June—a figure his team claims is the largest ever for an Ohio gubernatorial candidate in the year before a general election. Add to that a whopping $17 million from an allied super PAC, and you’ve got a war chest that could rival Fort Knox. This isn’t just fundraising; it’s a financial tsunami.
The Ohio Republican Party didn’t hesitate to throw its weight behind Ramaswamy, endorsing him in May, over a year before the primary—an unprecedented move that underscores the party’s confidence in his candidacy. Meanwhile, Ramaswamy’s team is planning a packed fall schedule with events in Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, and beyond to broaden his support base. They’re not just playing to win; they’re playing to dominate.
Even high-profile moments like attending a White House event on April 14, 2025, to welcome the College Football National Champions from Ohio State University, have kept Ramaswamy in the spotlight. It’s the kind of visibility that money can’t buy, but clearly, his donors think he’s worth the investment. One has to wonder if this momentum can carry him through to 2026.
Jai Chabria, Ramaswamy’s chief strategist, didn’t hold back when explaining the donor exodus, saying, “It's a very interesting thing where people who have donated to Democrats... are flocking to Vivek.” Well, isn’t that the understatement of the year? It’s less a flock and more a stampede, driven by frustration with leaders who promise much but deliver little.
Chabria added, “There's actually a movement... to Vivek specifically because he's got such a message of growth.” If growth means shaking up the tired political machine, then Ramaswamy might just be the fertilizer Ohio needs. Too many have felt let down by entrenched politicians, and this donor shift suggests a hunger for something different.
On the flip side, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou took a sharper jab at Ryan, stating, “Tim Ryan represents... what's wrong with the Democratic Party.” That’s a polite way of saying some see Ryan as all talk, no action—donning a hunting jacket for the cameras while voting with the progressive crowd in D.C. It’s a critique that likely resonates with those switching allegiances.
Chabria also highlighted Ramaswamy’s focus on safety, noting, “The crime in our cities is... It's appalling.” Crime isn’t a partisan issue, but it’s often politicized, and Ramaswamy seems poised to cut through the noise with practical solutions. Ohioans, regardless of party, deserve to feel secure in their homes, and that’s a platform worth rallying behind.
Continuing on crime, Chabria said, “Vivek... is gonna try to rise above it and bring all people together.” If he can bridge divides and focus on real fixes rather than political posturing, that’s a refreshing change from the usual partisan bickering. It’s a tall order, but one that could win hearts across the state.
While Tim Ryan, who lost a Senate race to JD Vance in 2022, mulls over a gubernatorial run and plans to decide by year’s end, Ramaswamy is already miles ahead in momentum and money. Ohio’s political landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and whether this donor wave translates to votes in 2026 remains the million-dollar question. For now, Ramaswamy is the name on everyone’s lips—and checkbooks.
