COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Trump-backed biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy won the Ohio Republican Party’s gubernatorial endorsement Friday, overcoming more experienced and potentially more popular rivals to land coveted institutional and monetary support nearly a year before the 2026 primary.

The Ohio Republican Party on Friday endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for governor. The endorsement for the 2026 race came at the Ohio Republican State Central Committee meeting. Ramaswamy received 60 votes by secret ballot.

The Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee voted on Friday to endorse Vivek Ramaswamy for governor, in a blow to Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH). DeWine reportedly worked behind the scenes to block the 66-member committee from backing Ramaswamy,