Cook Political Report: “It’s an inescapable law of politics: Money can only propel a campaign so far when its candidate’s flaws act as an anchor.”

“Last week, Republican venture capitalist and 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy took to Ohio’s airwaves with a $10 million ad buy designed to soften his polarizing image. It comes as yet another poll — this time from the GOP-aligned firm Quantus Insights — shows him narrowly trailing Democratic former state Health Director Amy Acton in their expected gubernatorial matchup.”

NBC News: “Back then, Ramaswamy positioned himself at the far-right flank of a Republican Party that was about to once again nominate Donald Trump. The son of legal immigrants, he proposed ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and condemned ‘woke’ culture. He invoked the “great replacement theory” — the idea that white people are being marginalized by migrants and people of color. He was very online.”

“This time, Ramaswamy has Trump’s endorsement for a job that a Democrat hasn’t won in 20 years. He is also calling out bigotry and racism, while adopting a congenial tone more reminiscent of the Republican he hopes to succeed, term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine. Once a brash showman, Ramaswamy now presents himself to Ohioans as an open-minded statesman.”

A bodyguard for the family of Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R) has been arrested on charges of drug trafficking, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Former Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) announced he will not be running for Ohio governor, the Ohio Capital Journal reports.

Former Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) “has told his inner circle to start working on putting an Ohio gubernatorial campaign plan together, though he still hasn’t decided whether to enter the race,” the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

“Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Tuesday plans to call on the GOP to embrace a less overtly belligerent and oppositional posture,” Axios reports.

Ramaswamy will say the conservative moment is at a “fork in the road” and urge them to abandon its fixation on “owning the libs” in favor of a less overtly confrontational posture.

“Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel announced Friday he will not run for Ohio governor next year, ending months of speculation about the former star football coach’s political plans,” the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

“Tressel’s decision further cements Vivek Ramaswamy’s near-lock on the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2026.“

Former Rep. Tim Ryan (D) has “heightened” interest in running for governor of Ohio after former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) opted for the Senate race, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) has suspended his campaign for governor, clearing the field in the Republican primary for Vivek Ramaswamy (R), Politico reports.

Said Yost: “I do not wish to divide my political party or my state with a quixotic battle over the small differences between my vision and that of my opponent. I am simply not that important.”

“When Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s poll numbers started plummeting in the Ohio governor’s race earlier this year, he started looking for an offramp,” NOTUS reports.

“Yost didn’t just want to drop out; he wanted an appointment in the Trump administration that would allow him to save face as he ended his gubernatorial bid.”

“After months of angling for an appointment, he got one. In April, the Trump administration offered Yost the position of ambassador to Cyprus.”

“But Yost didn’t want it… He rejected the appointment, apparently seeking a more prominent position than an ambassadorship to a small island nation in the Mediterranean.”

“President Donald Trump endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy on the night Ramaswamy kicked off his campaign to be Ohio’s next governor,” NBC News reports.

“More than two months later, term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine is scrambling behind the scenes to keep the Ohio Republican Party from following Trump’s lead.”

“DeWine and his advisers are working to deny Ramaswamy an endorsement when the state party meets Friday.”

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R) holds a solid lead in the Republican primary — one that increased dramatically after President Trump’s endorsement at the end of February, according to new internal polling conducted by longtime Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio, Semafor reports.

“The polling now shows Ramaswamy garnering 71% of the primary vote — representing a 60-point lead against his closest opponent, Jim Tressel.”

“Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who will declare his candidacy for governor of Ohio on Monday, wants to reshape public schools, cut regulations and slash spending,” NBC News reports.

“It’s a disruptive agenda that sounds a lot like the one that Ramaswamy helped draw up for President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.”

“Vivek Ramaswamy is preparing to launch his 2026 bid for Ohio governor on Feb. 24 in his native Cincinnati, with ensuing announcements held over two days in the Columbus, Toledo and Cleveland areas,” the AP reports.

“Vivek Ramaswamy has landed Vice President J.D. Vance’s top political advisers to guide his soon-to-launch bid for governor in Ohio,” NBC News reports.

“The hirings followed conversations between Vance and Ramaswamy over the last two weeks, said this person, who was granted anonymity to share details of private discussions.”

Vivek Ramaswamy will announce a bid for Ohio governor “shortly,” USA Today reports.

“With Donald Trump’s expected support, Ramaswamy could have an edge in a GOP primary.”

“Vivek Ramaswamy would consider an appointment to replace JD Vance in the Senate if it was offered — but is setting himself up for a gubernatorial run in Ohio and vastly prefers seeking that office,” Semafor reports.