Biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is reportedly preparing to launch a campaign for Ohio governor, according to sources close to Fox News Digital. Ramaswamy, who co-leads President-elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative with Elon Musk, is anticipated to formally declare his candidacy soon.
An Ohio political operative familiar with Ramaswamy's plans indicated that the current strategy involves focusing on achievements within DOGE before publicly announcing his gubernatorial intentions. This aligns with the timeline suggested by multiple sources confirming Ramaswamy's interest in the governorship.
This development comes as current Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, reaches his term limit and cannot seek re-election in 2026. DeWine recently appointed Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by former Sen. JD Vance. Husted had previously expressed his own gubernatorial ambitions for 2026.
Ramaswamy, who ran for president on an "America First 2.0" platform, gained significant attention during his campaign. He positioned himself as a strong supporter of Trump, describing him as "the most successful president in our century." After concluding his presidential bid following the Iowa caucuses, Ramaswamy endorsed Trump and became a prominent surrogate for his campaign.
The Ohio native's appointment to co-lead DOGE alongside Musk was announced by Trump in November. Ohio's political landscape has increasingly favored Republicans in recent years, solidifying its status as a red state.
