Ohio governor

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Dr. Amy Acton are running in the November election to become Ohio's next governor. Each of them is facing controversy over their connection to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio.

Ramaswamy won with a comfortable margin over two longshot candidates: Casey Putsch, a northwest Ohio car designer and racing team owner new to politics and Heather Hill, a former county board of education president.

Votes for Heather Hill, who's running for the Republican nomination for Ohio governor, won't be counted, though her name and her running mate's name will still be on the statewide ballot.

More than 15,000 people have voted early as of April 19 in Ohio's most populated county. Voters of all stripes cite contested statewide contests as the main elections drawing their interest.

La Chatelaine canceled a planned meet and greet at the restaurant after the CEO says she was made aware of Republican candidate Casey Putsch's comments that she says sympathize with Hitler and Nazis. Putsch rescheduled the event for Friday at Goodale Park.

Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the May primary, and affordability will be a big issue in the campaigns for governor.

In his final State of the State speech, Gov. Mike DeWine called for legislation on artificial intelligence and seat belts in Ohio.

Justin Salsburey, 43, and Ruthann Salsburey, 38, of Bellefontaine, were charged last week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and possess with intent to distribute a detectable amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Justin Salsburey, 43 and his wife Ruthann Salsburey, 38, of Bellefontaine, were arrested this week. Justin Salsburey worked for Ramaswamy's contracted security firm ARK Protection.

Gov. Mike DeWine has said he’ll fully expects to endorse the Republican candidate for Ohio governor next year—but hasn't so far.