The presumptive Republican and Democratic gubernatorial nominees selected their lieutenant governor running mates.

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy chose Senate President Rob McColley, while Democrat Amy Acton picked David Pepper, a former Ohio Democratic Party chairman.

Besides a short-lived presidential campaign, this is the first run for elected office for Ramaswamy, a wealthy biotech entrepreneur.

This is Acton’s first bid ever for elected office. She is best known for being the state’s health director during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both selected running mates with political experience, though the role of lieutenant governor is restricted to what the governor wants.

McColley was first elected to the Ohio House in 2014, serving two two-year terms. He was appointed in December 2017 to a vacancy in the state Senate. He has served as Senate president since January 2025.

Pepper served as Ohio Democratic Party chairman from 2015 to 2020. Before that, he twice lost statewide office — state auditor in 2010 and attorney general in 2014. Pepper is a former Hamilton County commissioner and Cincinnati councilman.

Ramaswamy said he selected McColley “to be a governing partner who can help advance our ambitious legislative agenda. Rob is a proven conservative leader and he is committed to my vision to make the American Dream a reality for every Ohioan.”

Taking a shot at Acton, McColley said, “Ohio needs a businessman, not a bureaucrat; a creator, not a quitter; a visionary; not a victim. That leader is Vivek Ramaswamy. He will be one of the boldest leaders in the history of our state, and I’m honored to help execute his vision.”

Acton, a Youngstown native, said she and Pepper “share a lifelong commitment to fighting for Ohio’s working families and making our state a more affordable place to live for all of us. David is an innovative and pragmatic leader who has been laser-focused on delivering for Ohioans for his entire career, from reducing the property tax rate for Cincinnatians to tackling foreclosures during the 2008 recession. I am thrilled to have David by my side.”

Pepper, who was an early supporter of Acton for governor, said, “Amy is the only candidate in this race who will tackle our affordability crisis and work to lower costs, clean up the corruption and invest to create world-class public schools so we can finally put working families first, not billionaires or special interests.”

Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has held off on endorsing Ramaswamy until the candidate’s selection of McColley as his running mate.

“The first important decision any governor makes is who will be his or her choice for lieutenant governor,” DeWine said. “Vivek Ramaswamy has made a great pick in Senate President Rob McColley to be his running mate. Senate President McColley is a strong leader who is well respected by the members of the General Assembly. He knows Ohio and brings geographical balance to the ticket.”