In a surprising turn of events, Vivek Ramaswamy declared his candidacy for governor of Ohio in 2026. This announcement comes after a series of recent developments, including Ramaswamy’s departure from President Donald Trump’s government efficiency initiative and his unsuccessful bid for the US Senate seat left vacant by Vice President JD Vance. Speaking at a rally in Cincinnati, Ramaswamy expressed his excitement about the opportunity to lead his home state, emphasizing his deep roots and commitment to Ohio.
Ramaswamy’s entry into the gubernatorial race follows Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s decision to run for the same position, setting the stage for a potentially competitive contest among Republican candidates. On the Democratic side, former Ohio health director Amy Acton has also thrown her hat into the ring. With Ohio being a key battleground state that Trump won decisively in the last election, the upcoming race is expected to garner significant attention.
Notably, Trump endorsed Ramaswamy’s candidacy, praising him as a patriot and a strong leader. The former president’s endorsement further solidified Ramaswamy’s position as a serious contender in the gubernatorial race. Ramaswamy had previously worked with Trump on government efficiency initiatives, but his decision to pursue elected office prompted his exit from that role.
Despite facing some challenges and controversies in the lead-up to his gubernatorial bid, including speculation about a potential Senate appointment and disagreements within the Trump camp, Ramaswamy remains focused on his vision for Ohio’s future. As he embarks on this new chapter in his political career, Ramaswamy’s supporters are eager to see how his campaign unfolds and what impact he may have on the state’s governance.
Excitement surrounded Ramaswamy’s campaign launch as he gathered endorsements from eager supporters and engaged in social media battles while championing the Trump agenda. In early February, he made appearances at a Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game and a comedy show in Columbus, followed by attending the Super Bowl in New Orleans and the Daytona 500 in West Palm Beach, Florida—both events attended by Trump.
His list of endorsers continued to grow in anticipation of his official entry into the race, with Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, State Treasurer Robert Sprague, and several GOP senators, including Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Marsha Blackburn, expressing their support for Ramaswamy. Despite facing obstacles in the GOP primary, such as competition from Yost’s campaign, Ramaswamy’s stature was further challenged by the potential entry of former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel into the gubernatorial race.
Ramaswamy, a newcomer to politics, had previously run a long-shot 2024 presidential campaign and published books that garnered attention in right-wing media. Funding his campaign with his personal fortune, he gained national recognition by avoiding direct criticism of Trump while promoting his agenda and engaging in confrontational media appearances. Despite his clashes with opponents during the GOP debates, Ramaswamy suspended his presidential bid in January 2024 and endorsed Trump, becoming an active supporter of the former president’s campaign.
Raised in Cincinnati as the son of Indian immigrants, Ramaswamy’s political journey has been marked by his rise in conservative circles and alignment with the Trump administration.
After graduating from Harvard University with a degree in biology, followed by earning a law degree from Yale University, Vivek Ramaswamy went on to establish Roivant in 2014, which became the primary source of his wealth. Roivant specializes in acquiring drugs that major pharmaceutical companies have set aside due to not aligning with their business strategies. The company secures the rights to develop these drugs and then splits the profits with the original company. The abbreviation “roi” in Roivant’s name symbolizes return on investment.
Subsequently, Ramaswamy co-founded Strive Asset Management, an investment firm known for its stance against considering “woke” ideology when making investment choices. This approach includes disregarding environmental, social, and corporate governance factors, a viewpoint he frequently emphasized. This article and its headline have been updated to include new developments. CNN’s Piper Hudspeth Blackburn also contributed to this report.
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