Politics
JUST IN: Trump Endorses Vivek Ramaswamy’s Ohio Gubernatorial Bid
Less than 12 hours after businessman and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy formally announced his long-anticipated campaign for governor of Ohio, President Donald Trump endorsed his campaign in a Truth Social post.
“VIVEK RAMASWAMY is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio. I know him well, competed against him, and he is something SPECIAL,” the president wrote. “He’s Young, Strong, and Smart! Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country. He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”
Ramaswamy, 39, formally announced his candidacy in his native Cincinnati on Monday, where he outlined his plan to “revive our conviction” in the state of Ohio. The biotech entrepreneur is expected to barnstorm a number of Ohio’s most populous cities over the next several days, as rallies are currently scheduled for Columbus, Toledo and Cleveland in addition to the formal rollout event.
Current Governor Mike Dewine is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. While it is unclear whether DeWine, who is largely associated with the establishment wing of the Republican Party, would endorse Ramaswamy, the president’s endorsement is expected to make him a clear frontrunner. Ramaswamy was already leading in the limited polls conducted for the race, beating out state Attorney General Dave Yost, who launched his campaign last month.
The former Republican presidential candidate — who backed much of President Trump’s agenda before ultimately endorsing his campaign after dropping out — emerged as a surprise star during the Republican primary cycle last year. He went on to found the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative with Elon Musk before leaving to focus on the gubernatorial campaign just days before Trump’s inauguration.
“We will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country, where we embrace capitalism and meritocracy instead of apologizing for it,’’ he said during his announcement speech. “We will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country that takes a hatchet to red tape, over-regulation and bureaucracy.”
Ramaswamy has already received endorsements from a number of prominent Ohio Republicans, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Treasurer Robert Sprague. Both men had been floated as potential candidates in the governor’s race, though Sprague switched his attention to the secretary of state race after reports surfaced about Ramaswamy’s impending announcement. LaRose, who is term-limited as secretary of state, will be running for state auditor.
The winner of the GOP primary will likely be favored in the general election, as Republicans have dominated Ohio gubernatorial races in recent years. Governor DeWine won re-election by a whopping 25 percentage points in 2022, while President Trump carried the state by 11 back in November.
