COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Trump-backed biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy won the Ohio Republican Party’s gubernatorial endorsement Friday, overcoming more experienced and potentially more popular rivals to land coveted institutional and monetary support nearly a year before the 2026 primary.

The Ohio Republican Party will decide whether to endorse entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy for governor at its May 9 meeting.

The Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee voted on Friday to endorse Vivek Ramaswamy for governor, in a blow to Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH). DeWine reportedly worked behind the scenes to block the 66-member committee from backing Ramaswamy,