Just over a month after Vivek Ramaswamy quit leading a government project in the Trump White House, the former Republican presidential candidate declared on Monday that he was running for Ohio governor. Additionally, Ramaswamy is not the first Republican to enter the campaign to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Mike DeWine.
Last month, State Attorney General Dave Yost announced his candidature for the party’s nomination. Amy Acton managed DeWine’s state department of health during the COVID-19 outbreak. Acton is also running for the Democratic nomination.
Ramaswamy had picked up support from prominent Ohio Republicans even before his campaign started, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Treasurer Robert Sprague, both seen once as potential gubernatorial candidates.
Sprague filed paperwork showing interest in the office, but following 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.”
I am honored to officially announce my candidacy to serve as the next Governor of Ohio. pic.twitter.com/HFIR3dLspe
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) February 24, 2025
Vivek Ramaswamy’s Background
Ramaswamy is a graduate of Harvard and Yale Law School. He made his fortune in finance and biotechnology. He was a political newcomer when he launched his self-funded campaign for president in 2024, but he dropped out after the Iowa caucus and endorsed Trump.
Trump appointed Ramaswamy and Elon Musk as co-leaders of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Ramaswamy left that post hours following Trump’s inauguration over clashes with Elon Musk.
Ramaswamy had been mentioned as a potential appointee for Ohio’s open Senate seat, which was vacated in January by Vice President JD Vance.
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
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