CLEVELAND (AP) — In Ohio's closely watched race for governor, Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic former health chief Amy Acton rolled out their picks for running mate on Wednesday, announcing a seasoned conservative lawmaker for him and an outspoken former party chair for her.
Ramaswamy tapped Ohio Senate President Rob McColley while Acton chose former state Democratic Chair David Pepper. Though neither selection is a household name, each brings experience in elective office to a ticket that previous had none.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine cannot seek reelection because of term limits.
“I’m an entrepreneur, not a politician," Ramaswamy, a billionaire biotech executive from Cincinnati, said in announcing McColley as his choice. He said he wanted a partner who understands legislating and can help him charge ahead on his aggressive policy agenda.
“He has experience that I don't,” Ramaswamy told a crowd during an upbeat Cleveland introduction event.
McColley, 41, of northwest Ohio, was first elected to the Ohio House in 2014 before being appointed to the Senate to fill a vacancy in December 2017. The campaign touted his efforts to reduce government bureaucracy, cut taxes and fight Acton's COVID-19 orders.
Acton, a physician and former nonprofit executive who helped lead Ohio’s early pandemic response as DeWine's state health director, said Pepper's track record as a problem-solver on Cincinnati City Council and the Hamilton County Commission will serve as an asset to her campaign.
The two held their first joint public appearance during an affordability roundtable in Columbus.
“I’ve been going everywhere and listening deeply for almost two years now, and people are longing for public servants again who solve the problems of our everyday life,” Acton said in an interview. She said that through his city and county roles, Pepper “has faced just about every problem a governor faces.”
The campaign pointed to Pepper's work spearheading a foreclosure prevention program, introducing a prescription drug discount program for county residents, leading an earned income tax credit initiative, helping balance budgets and holding the line on property taxes.
Ramaswamy's team was quick to point out other aspects of Pepper's record.
Chief strategist Jai Chabria called the son of a former Procter & Gamble CEO “a nepo baby” — and cited Pepper's unsuccessful bids for higher office.
“Ohio voters have repeatedly rejected David Pepper for political office, including for mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio auditor of state, and Ohio attorney general, where he managed to get just 38 percent of the vote," Chabria said in a statement.
Speakers at Ramaswamy's rally called Pepper's positions on gender identity and reproductive rights “radical.”
McColley's record in office was also held up to scrutiny Wednesday. The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association pointed to his support for bills banning most abortions in Ohio and creating new hurdles for solar and wind projects as signs the ticket is too extreme.
“Vivek Ramaswamy’s choice of Rob McColley as his running mate tells Ohioans everything they need to know: this ticket is about power and special interests, not lowering costs," Kevin Holst, the group's executive director, said.
FILE - Ohio state Sen. Rob McColley speaks during the Ohio Republican Party dinner, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Lima, Ohio. (AP Photo/Lauren Leigh Bacho, File)
FILE -In this Feb. 27, 2020 photo, Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton holds up a mask as she gives an update on the state's preparedness and education efforts to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 at MetroHealth Medical Centre in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
FILE—David Pepper, the chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, speaks at the Hamilton County Board of Elections on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — While the Portland Trail Blazers have emphasized developing young talent in recent years, new owner Tom Dundon says that mindset is shifting toward loftier goals.
“We've tried to get this message through the last couple of days that that was fun, and probably necessary, but it's more fun to win," Dundon said. "It's more fun to do the things that lead to success and hopefully we'll start creating more habits, that those processes lead to the kind of winning that I expect, and I think everybody expects.”
Dundon spoke Thursday along with fellow investors in the “Rip City Rising” ownership group. The NBA Board of Governors on Monday approved the reported $4.25 billion sale of the team by Paul Allen's estate and the new owners took over the team on Tuesday.
The Blazers sit at 39-38 in the Western Conference, a half-game back of the eighth-place Los Angeles Clippers. Having already clinched a play-in spot, if Portland can move into the eighth spot it is an easier one-game shot at advancing to the playoffs.
The new owners group includes Dundon, Portland-based Sheel Tyle, the co-founder of investment firm Collective Global; Marc Zahr, co-president of Blue Owl Capital; the Cherng Family Trust, the investment firm of the co-founders of Panda Express; Stan Middleman of Freedom Mortgage who also owns a stake of the Philadelphia Phillies, and others.
In addition to the Trail Blazers, the acquisition includes the Rip City Remix in the NBA G League and Rip City Management, which operates the Moda Center.
Earlier this month, Dundon sold a portion of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes to three new minority owners, a transaction reportedly worth $332.5 million for 12.5% of the team.
Dundon bought a stake in the Hurricanes in 2017, became the majority owner in 2018 and took sole possession of the club in 2021. He is chairman and managing partner of the Dallas-based firm Dundon Capital Partners.
Dundon said he won't shy from pulling off the big deal, adding Blazers general manager Joe Cronin had a possible deal at the trade deadline that would have made a splash.
“If that opportunity exists, I'm probably more aggressive than most," Dundon said. "If it doesn't exist, then you've got to go about finding the pieces to continue to get better, then decide if you can get good enough to win a championship, or you have to take a step back.”
Portland has built in recent years around a nucleus of young players, including Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan. The team's top scorer is Deni Avdija, in his fifth season.
The sale of the Trail Blazers comes after the Oregon Legislature approved funds for the renovation of the Moda Center in early March. The measure gives the state joint ownership of the 30-year-old arena with the city and provides a mechanism to secure $365 million for the building’s renovation ahead of the women's NCAA Final Four in 2030.
Allen, the Microsoft co-founder who died in 2018, bought the Blazers in 1988 for $70 million. His estate announced last May it had begun the process of selling the team. Allen also owned the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and a minority share of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders.
Allen stipulated in his will the eventual sale of his teams, with the proceeds to be given to philanthropic endeavors. Allen’s estate announced it began the process of selling the Seahawks in mid-February, about two weeks after the team captured the franchise’s second Super Bowl championship.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin, left, and Sheel Tyle, Blazers alternate governor, center, listen as during a news conference with new owner and governor Tom Dundon, right, on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Portland Trail Blazers new owner and governor Tom Dundon, left, speaks during a news conference on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Portland Trail Blazers new owner and governor Tom Dundon, center, speaks as alternate governors Andrew Cherng, right, and Sheel Tyle listen during a news conference on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Portland Trail Blazers new owner and governor Tom Dundon speaks during a news conference on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
