February 20, 2026
COLUMBUS – In response to Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy naming Rob McColley as his running mate in the 2026 election, leaders around the state and country are applauding the strong pick.
Alex Triantafilou, Ohio Republican Party Chairman
Vivek Ramaswamy has made an outstanding choice in the highly respected Senate President Rob McColley. The two dynamic leaders are united in their purpose to make Ohio the best state in America. Together, they will work to put more money in Ohioans’ pockets, improve education, and significantly reduce crime. In Senator McColley, Vivek gains a young yet highly seasoned legislator who knows how to get things done in Columbus. Vivek will hit the ground running on day one with an aggressive agenda to help everyday Ohioans. Today’s news follows the recent announcement that Vivek’s campaign raised a record-breaking $9.88 million in the second half of 2025, bringing total fundraising for the year to nearly $20 million—a record amount for any campaign in Ohio history—and that total does not include any personal contributions from Vivek himself. The Ohio GOP is poised to continue winning races, and we congratulate Vivek on an excellent choice.
With the election year upon us, I am joining Republicans across Ohio in supporting our dynamic ticket for Governor, led by Vivek Ramaswamy. Ohio is winning new business projects from the coasts, and Vivek will keep the momentum going. Vivek Ramaswamy knows that Ohio is the best state to build a business, raise a family, and pursue your vision of the American dream. The first important decision any Governor makes is who will be his or her choice for Lieutenant Governor. 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.
Jon Husted, United States Senator
As a former Lt. Governor, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to my friend Rob McColley on being selected as lieutenant governor nominee by Vivek Ramaswamy. Our shared roots in northwest Ohio make this moment even more special. As Lt. Governor, Rob has the opportunity to positively impact the lives of Ohioans every day, and I have no doubt he will rise to the occasion. His commitment to our state’s values, dedication to public service, and unwavering principles will serve Ohio well. I look forward to campaigning alongside Rob and Vivek Ramaswamy to keep Ohio red in November!
Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State
Rob McColley is a conservative champion and a sharp policy mind. I’ve had the privilege of working with him in the state senate and now as Secretary of State, and I’m honored to call him a friend. Vivek Ramaswamy has laid out a series of bold and innovative ideas, and Rob has the proven experience to help him drive an ambitious legislative agenda to position Ohio as a true state of excellence. Vivek has once again shown Ohioans that he’s putting together a formidable campaign and, more importantly, a competent administration to lead Ohio into the future. As our next Auditor of State, I look forward to partnering with him on an unprecedented effort to demand efficiency and expose waste, fraud and abuse in our state and local governments. The future is bright, and the work is just getting started. I’m proud to be part of the team.
Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General
Rob McColley knows state government. He’s a solid choice for lieutenant governor and will strengthen the whole ticket.
Matt Huffman, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
Rob McColley is a solid, strong conservative leader who has the experience and expertise it takes to promote good policy and find solutions to Ohio’s most pressing issues. We’ve been friends and colleagues for many years, serving together on the Leadership team in the Senate and now as counterparts in our respective chambers of the Legislature. He’s an outstanding choice for Vivek Ramaswamy’s running mate and will make a great Lt. Governor.
Theresa Gavarone, Senate Majority Floor Leader
Congratulations to my good friend Senate President Rob McColley on being selected to join Vivek Ramaswamy as Lt. Governor! I’ve know President McColley since I first joined the legislature in 2016, and I’ve been honored to serve on his Senate leadership team. I know he will make a fantastic Lt. Governor! This ticket will deliver for Ohio!
George Lang, Senate Majority Whip
Rob McColley is a fantastic choice for Lt. Governor! I’m proud to serve as a member of his leadership team in the Senate and, having worked closely with him, I’m confident that he will continue to serve our state with excellence alongside our next Governor, Vivek Ramaswamy.
Kristina Roegner, State Senator
Congratulations to my friend and colleague Rob McColley. He is an EXCELLENT choice! I am confident that he will make a wonderful Lieutenant Governor for Vivek Ramaswamy.
President McColley is an excellent pick!
Phil Plummer, Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore
I want to congratulate Senate President Rob McColley on being selected by Vivek Ramaswamy as his running mate in the 2026 gubernatorial campaign. Rob is a proven conservative leader, and I wish both of them success as they move forward.
Adam Bird, Assistant Majority Floor Leader
Excellent choice by Vivek Ramaswamy. Senate President McColley is an experienced conservative legislator who will be recognized around the state and will be a total asset on the campaign trail.
Brian Stewart, State Representative
This is a phenomenal pick by Vivek Ramaswamy and I’m incredibly happy for my friend Rob McColley. Rob’s been a friend since long before either of us were in politics, and I’m very excited for Ohio that he’ll be our next Lieutenant Governor.
Gary Click, State Representative
I applaud Vivek Ramaswamy for his selection of Rob McColley for LG. They will make a great team and compliment each other in Ohio’s Executive Branch. The best is yet to come.
Angie King, State Representative
Vivek Ramaswamy taps Ohio state Senate president as his running mate in campaign for governor. Great, choice! Congratulations Rob McColley. Looking forward to working with you & Vivek Ramaswamy next GA.
Nick Santucci, State Representative
I’m ecstatic that Rob McColley has been tapped as Lt. Gov. by Vivek Ramaswamy. Rob is someone I’ve respected for a long time & this winning ticket gives Ohio the chance to lead the nation w/strong, principled policy. I look forward to working w/them to deliver results for OH.
Josh Williams, State Representative
Congratulations to Senate President Rob McColley on being selected as Vivek Ramaswamy’s Lieutenant Governor. This is a proven conservative team ready to defend freedom, grow our state’s economy, and keep Ohio moving in the right direction. I am eager to support this winning ticket in November.
Aaron Baer, President of Center for Christian Virtue
LETS GO!! OUT OF THE PARK PICK. Vivek Ramaswamy has a bold vision for Ohio to vault us out from the middle of the pack and make us a LEADER in the nation. Rob is the right man to help make this happen. Here’s the man I’ve seen through the years at the statehouse.
Donovan O’Neil, AFP Ohio State Director
OUTSTANDING pick by Vivek Ramaswamy. I’ve personally known Rob McColley since he was a State Representative in NW Ohio. He is a solid conservative with a proven track record of lower taxes, cutting red tape, expanding education opportunity and curbing spending. His accomplishments earned him the AFP Ohio Taxpayer Torch Award in 2019. And he’s been a tireless champion for a bolder, better Buckeye state.
Tim Ross, AFP Ohio Deputy State Director
Phenomenal choice by Vivek Ramaswamy. Rob McColley has been a champion on regulatory reform, education choice and just last year was the primary driver of getting Ohio to a flat personal income tax rate. Well deserved congratulations!
ACT Ohio’s strong support of Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Governor is centered on his vision for growth and his profound respect for Ohio’s construction workforce. Vivek knows and believes that any project he brings to Ohio, we can build. Vivek took an enormous step forward towards his goal to create tens of thousands of jobs offering competitive wages and great benefits with the announcement regarding his pick for Lt. Governor. Senate President Rob McColley has been steadfast in his support for Ohio’s construction workers and fully understands the essential role workforce readiness has in Ohio’s industrial and economic development. His leadership and support for registered apprenticeship and safety training has been a key part of the tremendous momentum we have built in Ohio. And, it appears we are just getting started! We look forward to the record-breaking number of projects the Ramaswamy-McColley team will help bring to Ohio and the hundreds of millions of work hours our workforce will realize from their efforts.
Steve Stivers, Ohio Chamber of Commerce
The Ohio Chamber commends the Ramaswamy campaign for selecting Ohio Senate President McColley as its nominee for lieutenant governor. President McColley has been a steadfast champion for Ohio’s business community throughout his legislative career. His leadership on cutting duplicative regulations, reducing and simplifying our tax burdens, and pushing transformational energy reforms have all directly strengthened Ohio’s competitive position to CNBC’s 5th Best State for Business. His experience and legislative record ensure that Ohio will remain an attractive place for entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive.
Putnam County Republican Party
We are thrilled that Vivek Ramaswamy has chosen our friend and great Senator Rob McColley to be Ohio’s next Lieutenant Governor! Together, they will do great things for our great State. When Ohio looks for leaders, Ohio looks Northwest!
Meredith Freedhof, Franklin Co. GOP Chair
Congratulations to our Senate President and future Lieutenant Governor, Rob McColley! He’s a fantastic leader and legislator who always puts Ohio first. Fantastic choice by our future Governor!
Congratulations to Senate President Rob McColley on being selected as Vivek’s running mate! Last year Senator McColley spoke at our 90th Anniversary Gala and was awarded one of our Order of the Elephants. It’s awesome to see such a young ticket on the ballot!
Lucas County Young Republicans
We’ve known Rob McColley for years, he’s an all time great and the best possible LG candidate. Can’t get better for NW Ohio.
Hugh Hewitt, Ohioan and Conservative Radio Host
Terrific choice. For both men and for Ohio.
Chris Sprowls, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
Absolute home run by Vivek Ramaswamy. Rob McColley is a principled conservative who has fought for Ohio families, strengthened fatherhood, and demonstrated steady leadership in every season. He’s the right man to be Ohio’s next Lt. Governor.