Updated 25 February 2025 at 11:02 IST
Vivek Ramaswamy Announces Bid for Ohio Governor Weeks After Quitting Elon Musk's DOGE
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy declared that he is running for Ohio governor.
Washington: Just over a month after he quit leading a government efficiency project in the Trump White House, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy declared on Monday that he is running for Ohio governor.
Ramaswamy isn't the first Republican to enter the campaign to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Mike DeWine. State Attorney General Dave Yost announced his candidature for the party's nomination last month. Amy Acton, who managed DeWine's state department of health during the COVID-19 outbreak, is also running for the Democratic nomination.
Even before his campaign started, Ramaswamy had picked up support from prominent Ohio Republicans, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Treasurer Robert Sprague, both once seen as potential gubernatorial candidates. Sprague even filed paperwork indicating interest in the office, but after Ramaswamy signaled he would run for governor, the treasurer switched to the open secretary of state race. LaRose, who is term-limited, is running for state auditor.
Vivek Ramaswamy's Social Media Post
Ramaswamy's Social Media Post comes with a caption that reads, “I am honored to officially announce my candidacy to serve as the next Governor of Ohio.”
Trump Endorses Ramaswamy
Quick Look at Vivek Ramaswamy's Background
A Cincinnati native and a graduate of Harvard and Yale Law School, Ramaswamy made his fortune in finance and biotechnology. He was a political newcomer when he launched his largely self-funded campaign for president in 2024, but he dropped out after the Iowa caucus and endorsed Trump.
After Trump won in November, he appointed Ramaswamy and Elon Musk as co-leaders of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. But Ramaswamy left that post hours after Trump’s inauguration reportedly over clashes with Musk.
Ramaswamy had been mentioned as a potential appointee for Ohio’s open Senate seat, which was vacated last month by Vice President JD Vance. But DeWine instead appointed his lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, to the post.
A pro-Ramaswamy outside group conducted a poll in January that found him with more than 50% support among Republican primary voters.
Published By : Rishi Shukla
Published On: 25 February 2025 at 08:28 IST