COLUMBUS, Ohio — Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor has reported $509,473 in credit card payments, drawing scrutiny over how the expenses were disclosed in state campaign-finance filings.

The Republican nominee’s campaign charged $280,892 to an American Express card since April, according to an Ohio Capital Journal review of campaign reports published Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Ramaswamy campaign spending draws disclosure questions

The filings reportedly list monthly credit card payments without separately identifying the vendors, services or purchases behind each transaction.

Ohio campaign-finance law requires committees to submit itemized statements detailing contributions and expenditures. Expenses exceeding $25 must also be supported by a receipt, canceled check or other accepted documentation stating the purpose of the payment.

It remains unclear from the publicly available reports whether supporting credit card statements or receipts were separately submitted. The Ramaswamy campaign and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office had not responded to the news outlet’s requests for clarification when the report was published.

Former Ohio Elections Commission director Phil Richter said delayed disclosure would not necessarily be unusual if the campaign later provides adequate documentation. Campaign-finance transparency advocates, however, said voters should be able to identify where campaign money is being spent.

Credit card charges are a small share of total spending

The $509,473 charged to the campaign credit card represents less than 2% of Ramaswamy’s reported expenditures. His campaign has spent approximately $28.3 million since he entered the race in 2025.

Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, will face Democrat Amy Acton in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The credit card payments do not by themselves establish that campaign funds were improperly used. The issue centers on whether the filings provide enough information for voters and regulators to understand the individual expenses.

As Ohio’s governor race moves toward Election Day, the dispute highlights the importance of detailed financial disclosure in a contest expected to become one of the most expensive gubernatorial campaigns in state history.

Related: Amy Acton Outraises Vivek Ramaswamy in 2026 Ohio Governor Fundraising