Vivek Ramaswamy gets a political education in a grueling Ohio governor’s race

Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee for Ohio governor, is discovering that a statewide race demands a different approach than the presidential bid that first made him famous. CNN reports he has softened his combative style and now spends much of his time on local concerns, especially how he would finance the property tax cuts he promises, which he calls the biggest in state history. He told CNN taxes have become his top issue.

The contest is harder than his team hoped. Donald Trump endorsed him the day he launched, yet Ohio Republicans were slow to line up, and Governor Mike DeWine waited until January. Casey Putsch took 18% in the May primary and has not endorsed him. Democrat Amy Acton, the former state public health director, won't debate him, calling him a "serial liar." Polls remain tight despite more than $120 million in spending by his campaign and allies, over triple what Acton's side has spent. Democrats portray him as elitist, citing his private jet use. Senator Bernie Moreno blamed the national climate, saying Ramaswamy would still prevail. Ramaswamy, 41, describes himself as a businessman and outsider, and would be Ohio's first Hindu, Indian American and billionaire governor.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN →