Vivek Ramaswamy, a 39-year-old biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, has officially entered the Ohio gubernatorial race, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle in the Buckeye State.
At a Glance
- Ramaswamy will launch his campaign on February 24 in Cincinnati
- He has filed paperwork with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office
- Ramaswamy faces competition from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Heather Hill
- He has secured endorsements from key Republican figures, including Senators Mike Lee and Marsha Blackburn
- Ramaswamy recently left President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency to pursue elected office
Campaign Launch and Early Momentum
Vivek Ramaswamy is set to kick off his bid for Ohio governor with a bang. The former biotech entrepreneur will launch his campaign on February 24 at CTL Aerospace Inc. in Cincinnati, marking the beginning of what promises to be a closely watched race. Following the initial announcement, Ramaswamy plans to hit the ground running with appearances at Axium Packaging in New Albany and events in Toledo and Strongsville on February 25.
The campaign has already gained significant traction, with Ramaswamy securing endorsements from prominent Ohio Republicans, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Treasurer Robert Sprague. These early endorsements signal strong support within the state GOP apparatus and could provide Ramaswamy with a crucial edge in the primary race.
Vivek senior strategist @JChabria says Sprague's announcement is “the tip of the iceberg” and that a lot more Ohio endorsements for Ramaswamy are going to be rolled out in the coming days https://t.co/ckHggUT3Cr
— Jeremy Pelzer (@jpelzer) February 5, 2025
Ramaswamy’s entry into the race comes as term-limited Governor Mike DeWine prepares to step down, leaving a power vacuum in Ohio’s executive branch. The GOP primary is shaping up to be a competitive affair, with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Heather Hill also vying for the nomination. Notably, former Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, once considered a strong contender, has dropped out of the race after being appointed to the U.S. Senate.
“Big announcement in Ohio coming on Feb 24. It won’t be your usual gubernatorial dog-and-pony show,” the potential Ohio candidate said.
The stakes are high for Republicans in Ohio, a crucial swing state that has leaned increasingly conservative in recent years. Ramaswamy’s campaign appears to be taking nothing for granted, with plans to speak at 30 county Republican dinners from March 3 through May 22, demonstrating a commitment to grassroots engagement across the state.
Ramaswamy’s path to the Ohio gubernatorial race has been anything but conventional. Prior to launching his campaign, he served in President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, where he gained experience in streamlining government operations. However, his tenure at DOGE was not without controversy, particularly regarding his stance on H-1B temporary worker visas.
If he isn’t seen as supporting the Trump agenda’s immigration plans, it could hurt his candidacy. Let’s see how that goes.
