With Ohio’s primary behind us, focus shifts to the November election, in particular, the race for governor.

The primary did not change much. Democrat Amy Acton was unopposed, and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy easily defeated his long-shot opponent, Casey Putsch. It was already expected to be Acton versus Ramaswamy in November, and now it is official.

With six months to go, campaigns are ramping up as reporters and voters pay more attention.

To reset the scene, Mike DeWine leaves office at the end of the year. Term limits prevent him from running again. For the first time in eight years, Ohio will have a new governor. It will be someone from outside government: tech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who briefly ran for president, or Amy Acton, who served in government for about a year. Acton famously served as Ohio health director at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but she has not held elected office.

The latest polls have the two candidates tied as the summer months approach. National politicos are keeping an eye on this race. Earlier this spring, the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved the Ohio governor’s race from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican."

Joining us to discuss that rating and provide an Ohio native’s national look at the race, we welcome back Kyle Kondik, who serves as managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball.

(photo: Carolyn Kaster and Jay LaPrete / AP)