NEW: Ramaswamy’s Running Mate Received $5K Contribution from Billionaire Epstein Co-Conspirator

NEW: Ramaswamy's Running Mate Received $5K Contribution from Billionaire Epstein Co-Conspirator

February 19, 2026

Ramaswamy super PAC previously received $100K from separate billionaire Epstein associate

Columbus, Ohio- As Ohio Republicans continue to face questions about taking campaign cash from associates of Jeffrey Epstein, new reporting reveals Vivek Ramaswamy's running mate Rob McColley received $5,000 from longtime Epstein patron Les Wexner. McColley has refused to return the money.

McColley's refusal to return funds from Les Wexner, who is named more than 1,000 times in the Epstein files, follows previous reporting that Vivek Ramaswamy's presidential Super PAC never returned a $100,000 contribution from an Epstein associate despite pledging to do so.

"Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley holding onto tainted cash from Epstein associates is yet another reminder that they can't be trusted to do what's right for Ohio," said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. "Instead of focusing on lowering costs or protecting health care for Ohio families, Ramaswamy and McColley are flying high in their private jet and giving cover to friends of pedophiles. It's disgusting."

READ:

Ohio Statehouse News Bureau:

• Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon), who is governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's running mate, got $5,000 from Wexner in 2024, according to Ohio Secretary of State finance records. When asked Wednesday, McColley said members of his caucus "can make their own decision."

Cleveland.com:

• Ramaswamy also attracted some negative headlines during his presidential campaign after a billionaire associate of Epstein, New York City-based hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, gave $100,000 to the American Exceptionalism PAC, a pro-Ramaswamy political action committee.

• American Exceptionalism PAC dissolved late last year without donating or refunding the $100,000 from Dubin.

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