Ohio’s term-limited Republican Governor Mike DeWine is reportedly moving to block the state GOP from endorsing Vivek Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial bid.
DeWine has been working behind the scenes to prevent President Donald Trump ally Ramaswamy from being nominated as the next Republican governor candidate, according to sources familiar with the state’s politics.
Trump endorsed Ramaswamy the same night he announced he would run for governor.
As such, the move places DeWine in direct opposition to Trump, not to mention Vice President J.D. Vance.
Vance is also from Ohio and has directed his staff to provide support for Ramaswamy’s campaign.
It’s the second time DeWine has opposed Trump’s endorsed nominee.
DeWine also worked against Bernie Moreno, who was endorsed by Trump for Senate and who did win the race in 2024.
Some sources say DeWine wants his lieutenant governor, Ohio State football legend Jim Tressel, to succeed him.
An Ohio Republican leader reportedly said of DeWine:
“I think he would like to forestall an endorsement taking place, because I think he would like to see if he can convince Jim Tressel to run for governor.”
According to his spokesman, the governor is focused on state budget negotiations.
DeWine has also said it’s too early to endorse a candidate.
“As far as who I endorse in the Republican primary for Governor, it is much too early, as we do not even know who all will be in the race,” the governor noted in a statement.
“We are now 364 days away from the primary and 293 days away from the filing deadline.
In politics, this is a lifetime!”
Two-thirds of the state party’s 66-member central committee must vote to endorse a candidate.
Ramaswamy currently leads polling in the race, but it is still very early.
An ally of Ramaswamy told Breitbart that DeWine is going to be remembered for being wrong on every fight within the GOP.
“If Trump backs you, DeWine’s guaranteed to take the losing side,” the ally remarked.
“The establishment isn’t just out of touch — it’s out of time.
“And the state central committee will prove that again this Friday.”
“There’s not a unified opposition to the endorsement,” a committee member said.
If Tressel were to run, a point of opposition against him is that he supported far-left DEI policies when he worked at Youngstown University.
