Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy loses Ohio governor's race to Democrat Amy Acton

Vivek Ramaswamy, one of US President Donald Trump's close allies, has suffered defeat in the Ohio governor's race in the US midterm elections.

Ramaswamy, who sought to succeed outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine, lost to Democratic candidate Amy Acton as counting in the contest neared completion.

With 87% of the votes counted, Acton had secured 50.9% of the vote, while Ramaswamy had received 45.7%, putting the Republican nearly five percentage points behind his Democratic rival.

Acton's victory marks the first time since 2006 that a Democrat has been elected governor of Ohio. Acton, a physician who previously served as Ohio's state health director, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. She emerged as the Democratic candidate in a closely watched contest that offered the party an opportunity to reclaim the governor's office after two decades.

Ramaswamy, an Indian origin Republican, has his family roots in Palakkad in Kerala. A biotechnology entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate in 2024, Ramaswamy secured his party's nomination with the backing of Trump and the Ohio Republican Party.

The result gives much-needed relief to Democrats, as Ohio, in the recent elections, has tilted in favour of the Republicans.