Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy has formally declared his intention to run for Governor of Ohio, aligning himself closely with former President Donald Trump and advocating for conservative principles. At a rally in Cincinnati, Ramaswamy expressed his pride in his home state, stating, “Today, I am honored to announce that I am running to be the next governor of a great state at the heart of the greatest nation known to mankind—the state where I was born and raised, the state where Apoorva and I raise our two sons today—a state whose best days are still ahead.” Raised in Ohio as the son of Indian immigrants, Ramaswamy holds degrees from Harvard and Yale. He founded Roivant, a pharmaceutical company, in 2014, where he achieved significant financial success by reviving neglected drugs. His campaign for the 2026 gubernatorial election follows an unsuccessful bid in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. With Trump’s endorsement, Ramaswamy seeks to steer Ohio towards a conservative future, emphasizing his outsider status and commitment to enhancing the state’s business, education, and governance sectors. His proposed policies include abolishing the state income tax, implementing merit-based teacher pay, and broadening access to publicly funded private school vouchers. Trump publicly supported Ramaswamy on Truth Social, praising him as “something SPECIAL” and expressing confidence in his potential as a governor.
Ramaswamy expressed his vision to elevate Ohio as a frontrunner in various fields, such as business, education, and technology. He stated his commitment to making Ohio the premier state for launching and expanding new businesses, raising families, and providing children with a top-tier education in essential subjects like math, reading, writing, critical thinking, and physical education. He emphasized the need to streamline processes and create a business-friendly environment, vowing to eliminate excessive regulations and promote capitalism and meritocracy. Ramaswamy also positioned Ohio as a viable alternative to states like Texas and Florida, aiming to attract both businesses and families by making it a destination for patriots seeking excellence.Throughout his campaign, Ramaswamy portrayed himself as an outsider ready to challenge the existing political landscape in Ohio, drawing comparisons to Trump’s approach to governance. His brief tenure with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal initiative he co-led with Elon Musk, highlighted his outsider status, although he resigned after just 69 days amid tensions over his comments on H-1B visas and hiring practices. Despite this, Musk has since endorsed Ramaswamy’s candidacy, signaling support for his political ambitions.
