Ohio Teamsters Union Endorses Republican Ramaswamy for 2026 Governor Race Signaling Union Shift

Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate for Ohio governor in 2026, has garnered significant endorsements from major labor unions, including the Ohio Conference of Teamsters, the Ohio State Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, and multiple building and construction trades councils. This marks a notable shift as the Ohio Conference of Teamsters and other unions had previously supported Democratic candidates such as former Rep. Tim Ryan and Senator Sherrod Brown. The Teamsters, representing over 50,000 workers, praised Ramaswamy for his commitment to good-paying jobs and strengthening Ohio's working families. Ramaswamy emphasized his campaign's focus on economic growth, job creation, and restoring dignity to work, framing his movement as transcending traditional left-right politics. These union endorsements, coupled with Ramaswamy's backing by President Donald Trump and the Ohio Republican Party, suggest a realignment of labor support toward Republican candidates in Ohio. The shift is also seen as a setback for Democratic candidate Amy Acton, who had aligned herself with striking Teamsters earlier in the year.