COLUMBUS, Ohio — Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, is now setting his sights on the Ohio governor’s race. This comes shortly after his abrupt exit from President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, where he served as a key figure.
Ramaswamy’s Political Ambitions
The 39-year-old entrepreneur, who previously launched an unsuccessful bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is preparing to announce his candidacy for Ohio governor as early as this week. Ramaswamy has already assembled a team of strategists with deep ties to Ohio politics, signaling his readiness to enter the race.
Ramaswamy aims to follow in the footsteps of political newcomers like Vice President JD Vance and Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, both of whom secured Senate seats with the backing of Trump. His potential entry into the race has complicated the plans of several seasoned Republican politicians, including Attorney General Dave Yost, who recently declared his candidacy for the governorship.
“At the federal legislative level, that’s a different yardstick and standard than for governor of Ohio,” said Republican consultant Terry Casey. “Historically, the governor’s a little closer to voters — clearing highways, running prisons — than senators and members of Congress.”
Ramaswamy’s Background and Appeal
Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati native and son of Indian immigrants, holds degrees from Harvard and Yale. After a successful career in hedge fund management, he founded Roivant Sciences in 2014, a biotech firm specializing in reviving stalled pharmaceutical projects. His business acumen and personal wealth, estimated in the hundreds of millions, have positioned him as a formidable candidate.
Despite his Hindu upbringing, Ramaswamy has emphasized the shared values between his faith and Christianity, particularly in his opposition to abortion rights. This stance, rooted in his time at St. Xavier High School, has resonated with Ohio’s evangelical Christian base, a critical voting bloc in Republican primaries.
Ramaswamy’s popularity among Trump’s most loyal supporters is undeniable. At a recent GOP event in Ohio, he was swarmed by attendees eager to take photos with him and his wife, Apoorva. His presence at a black-tie inaugural ball in Washington, hosted by the Ohio Republican Party, further underscored his star power within the party.
“The question is can you bypass the 20 years’ worth of political history that used to be required to run for governor,” said Ryan Stubenrauch, a Republican strategist and former senior policy adviser to Governor Mike DeWine.
Challenges and Controversies
Ramaswamy’s rise has not been without controversy. His opposition to providing military aid to Ukraine and his advocacy for increased foreign tech workers have drawn criticism from both establishment Republicans and the party’s populist wing. Notably, his stance on immigration has alienated figures like former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who has been a vocal proponent of stricter immigration policies.
Despite these challenges, Ramaswamy’s ability to draw large crowds, as seen during his town hall in Springfield, Ohio, demonstrates his appeal to grassroots Republicans. However, some within the Trump orbit have described his style as abrasive and exhausting, raising questions about his ability to maintain broad support.
Impact on Ohio’s Political Landscape
Ramaswamy’s potential candidacy has disrupted the plans of other Republican hopefuls, including Treasurer Robert Sprague and Secretary of State Frank LaRose. With Governor DeWine term-limited, the race for Ohio’s top office is wide open, and Ramaswamy’s entry adds a new layer of competition.
DeWine’s decision to appoint Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to the Senate seat vacated by Vance further complicates the race. Husted, a seasoned politician with extensive government experience, was widely seen as a leading contender for the governorship. His absence from the race has left a void that Ramaswamy is well-positioned to fill.
“This new dynamic and competition adds a layer of complexity for me,” said Ken Blackwell, a Trump loyalist and former Ohio secretary of state. Blackwell, a long-time supporter of Yost, acknowledged the shifting dynamics in the race.
Ramaswamy’s Political Connections
Ramaswamy’s ties to influential Republican strategists, including Ben Yoho of the Columbus-based Strategy Group, provide him with a strong foundation for his campaign. His previous role on the board of InnovateOhio, a technology-focused initiative established by DeWine, also connects him to key figures in Ohio politics, including Vance and Moreno.
“It’s pretty cool,” Husted said at a news conference announcing his Senate appointment. “We have a vice president from Ohio who’s, like, my friend. I mean, seriously, InnovateOhio board? We had Bernie Moreno, JD Vance, Vivek Ramaswamy and me. We did all right. We got a good crew there.”
Looking Ahead
As Ramaswamy prepares to officially enter the race, all eyes are on how his candidacy will reshape the Republican primary. His ability to leverage his business background, national profile, and connections to Trump’s base will be critical in a crowded field of experienced politicians. Whether he can translate his popularity into electoral success remains to be seen, but his campaign is sure to be one of the most closely watched in the 2026 election cycle.