Vivek Campaign Pushing For Coronation Over Primary?

BY JEFF SKINNER

STATEWIDE - According to a source close to the matter, The Ohio Republican State Central Committee is planning to provide Vivek Ramaswamy an early coronation by way of endorsing him officially as candidate for Ohio Governor at this Friday, May 9 meeting, circumventing a structured democratic process an entire year before any primary vote, effectively bypassing the voice of voters.

The Republican State Central Committee is the governing body of the Republican Party of Ohio and manages party operations throughout the state. According to the source, The State Central Committee has been feeling pressure from the Vivek campaign, as well as from some members, to commit to an unprecedented move to endorse a candidate before an official primary has taken place, marking one of the first times the Republican party would be taking a play out of the Democrat handbook of candidate coronation. The push currently is to have the party officially endorse Vivek Ramaswamy, giving the Republican party endorsement to him an entire year before a primary has taken place. 

Nationally, some may recall that same maneuvering occurring both with presidential candidates Hillary Clinton in 2015 and Kamala Harris in 2019. Both candidates lost in their election bids with a major factor being their effective ‘placement’ into position, bypassing primaries and thus, the voice of voters.

The move is being kept off of the official agenda, and is expected to be introduced under “New Business" but a statement on it from the Yost campaign has been issued. Critics of the move have labeled the move 'corrupt' and stated that the early coronation not only throws out a democratic process, silencing the voice of Republican voters, but would additionally stifle any real debate between conservative candidates in a primary who are already running or even squeeze out candidates that may plan to run.

According to the source, those who wish to voice their opposition to the move, should reach out to their State Central Committee representative, which can be found here, by searching their local district. 

The Ohio Republican State Central Committee meeting is planned to be held on Friday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m.