Vivek Ramaswamy has invested $25 million of his own money into his Ohio gubernatorial campaign, included in a reported $50 million raised since the campaign began. The filing shows $30 million raised this year (about $5 million from donors and $25 million self-funded) and roughly $30 million cash on hand. A Ramaswamy-aligned super PAC has added $29.5 million, bringing combined funds near $80 million. Democratic opponent Dr. Amy Acton has reported $9.3 million to date; the Cook Report rates the race "Lean Republican."
Ramaswamy Pours $25M of Personal Funds Into Ohio Governor Race as Campaign Reports $50M Raised
Ramaswamy pumps $25M of own cash into Ohio governor bid, smashes fundraising records with $50 million haul
Vivek Ramaswamy has injected $25 million of his personal wealth into his campaign for Ohio governor, the campaign disclosed in its latest finance filing. The self-funding is part of a reported $50 million raised since the campaign launched last year, underscoring Ramaswamy's financial advantage in the contest.
Fundraising Snapshot
The filing shows the campaign raised roughly $30 million so far this year, composed of about $5 million from outside donors and the $25 million personal contribution. The campaign reported approximately $30 million in cash on hand at the end of last month. In addition, a Ramaswamy-aligned super PAC has disclosed $29.5 million raised this cycle, bringing the combined total between the campaign and allied outside groups to roughly $80 million.
"No gubernatorial campaign in Ohio history has ever put up numbers like this, and it sends a clear message: Ohioans are fired up for Vivek, our campaign is growing, and we will win big in November," campaign manager Jonathan Ewing said in a statement.
Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and former 2024 Republican presidential candidate who secured former President Donald Trump's endorsement when he launched the bid, has used his financial advantage to buy statewide advertising. The campaign reported a $10 million ad buy in March and said it plans to run ads through Election Day in November.
Vivek Ramaswamy steps on stage at CTL Aerospace Feb. 24, 2025, in Cincinnati. Ramaswamy launched his Ohio gubernatorial campaign during the event.(Getty Images)
Opposition And Race Context
Democratic nominee Dr. Amy Acton, former director of the Ohio Department of Health (2019–2020), has reported $9.3 million raised to date, including more than $4.8 million in the first quarter of this year — a record for a Democratic gubernatorial candidate at this calendar point, her campaign said. Acton's team described the receipts as evidence of broad voter enthusiasm, including support from independents and some Republicans.
Although Ohio was once a top national battleground, it has trended Republican in recent years; Donald Trump carried the state by 11 points in 2024. Nevertheless, analysts consider the governor's race competitive: The Cook Political Report currently rates it as "Lean Republican," one step from a toss-up. The winner of the November election will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
Donor Base And Next Steps
The campaign highlighted the breadth of its grassroots fundraising: 392,347 contributions from more than 120,000 unique donors, an average gift of $63, and that donations of $200 or less account for over 98% of individual contributions. Campaign officials described the $25 million personal investment as a substantial down payment on Ramaswamy's previously announced pledge to contribute up to $30 million of his own funds.
Ramaswamy is scheduled to headline a Columbus fundraising event that the campaign expects will raise more than $1 million as the race heads into the summer and fall.
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