Vivek Ramaswamy slips behind Democrat Amy Acton in new poll of Ohio gubernatorial candidates after getting booed at event for young conservatives

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has fallen behind Democrat Amy Acton in a new Ohio governor’s race poll released days after he was booed during an appearance before young conservatives in Cincinnati.

The Tulchin Research poll, sponsored by Democratic attorney general candidate John Kulewicz, showed Acton leading Ramaswamy 46 percent to 44 percent. Five percent of respondents backed another candidate, while 6 percent remained undecided. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Ohio, once considered a major swing state, has shifted increasingly Republican over the past decade. Democrats are hoping to make the governor’s race competitive as part of a broader effort to regain ground in this year’s midterm elections.

Acton, who led the Ohio Department of Health during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, is running against Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.

Acton campaign points to momentum

Acton’s campaign manager, Philip Stein, said the poll reflects Ohio voters rejecting spending by Ramaswamy and his allies, including Elon Musk, which he said totals $35 million.

Stein told Newsweek that Acton has focused on campaigning across Ohio while contrasting her schedule with Ramaswamy’s, claiming the Republican candidate has spent 40 percent of the year outside the state.

Other polls show a close contest

The Tulchin survey is among several recent polls showing a competitive race.

A New York Times/Siena College poll showed the candidates tied at 47 percent each. The survey questioned 601 likely voters from June 15 through June 28 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.

An AARP poll of 800 likely voters showed Acton leading 47 percent to 44 percent, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

A Fox News poll of 1,015 registered voters showed Acton ahead by one point, 50 percent to 49 percent, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

An earlier YouGov and Bowling Green State University poll of 1,000 registered showed Ramaswamy ahead 48 percent to 47 percent, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

Prediction markets also showed a close race. As of early August, Kalshi gave Ramaswamy a 51 percent chance of winning, while Polymarket gave Acton a 52 percent chance. Such markets reflect current trader sentiment rather than guaranteed outcomes, as prices shift with polling, fundraising and campaign developments.

Ramaswamy booed at young conservatives event

In late July, Ramaswamy was heckled during a speech at the Young Americans for Liberty convention in Cincinnati.

He spoke for about 14 minutes about his support for capitalism but faced boos over issues including Israel.

“No matter what happens, in whichever direction we go, the people in my generation — we’ve already made it and we’re going to be fine,” Ramaswamy said over the jeers. “It’s going to be your generation that pays the price. That choice belongs to you.”

How Ohio shifted from purple to red

President Donald Trump won Ohio by roughly 11 percentage points in 2024, improving on his victories of about 8 points in both 2016 and 2020.

The state was once more competitive, with Barack Obama winning Ohio in both 2008 and 2012. But Trump made significant gains among white working-class voters, particularly in rural areas and northeastern Ohio near Cleveland.

Democrats have improved their standing in suburbs around Cincinnati and Columbus but have struggled to offset Republican gains elsewhere.

Ohio has still produced competitive races in recent years. Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown won reelection in 2018 before losing in 2024 by fewer than 4 percentage points. Brown is running again for Senate this year against Republican incumbent Jon Husted in another closely watched contest.

The state last elected a Democratic governor in 2006, when Ted Strickland won during a strong national election cycle for Democrats. Republican John Kasich defeated Strickland in 2010 and Republicans have held the governor’s office since, most recently through Kasich and DeWine.

Acton breaks with some Democrats on key issues

Acton has faced criticism from some LGBTQ+ activists after saying she does not support transgender girls competing in girls’ sports, comments reported by The Toledo Blade.

The Ohio Democrats Progressive Caucus later said in a statement, which was removed but shared by journalist Andrew Tobias on X, that the remarks had made some progressives less willing to campaign for her.

Acton has also separated herself from some Ohio Democrats by supporting Issue 3, a ballot measure that would add the state’s existing voter ID requirements to the Ohio Constitution.

She told Cleveland television station WEWS that the measure has broad support among Ohio voters and would not change current law.

What happens next

Ohio’s governor’s race is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests of the midterm elections as both campaigns continue reaching out to voters.

The Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up, while Sabato’s Crystal Ball considers it to be leaning Republican.