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Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, has officially entered the 2026 race for Ohio governor.
Announcing his candidacy on Monday at a Cincinnati aerospace facility, Ramaswamy immediately secured high-profile endorsements from former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
Ramaswamy, 39, positioned his campaign around economic growth, education reform, deregulation, and advancing innovation in artificial intelligence and aerospace. His bid places him in a competitive Republican primary field that includes Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Morgan County Board of Education President Heather Hill.
With current Governor Mike DeWine term-limited, Ohio’s leadership is up for grabs, and Ramaswamy is banking on his outsider appeal and business acumen to set him apart.
Trump wasted no time in throwing his support behind Ramaswamy, calling him “something SPECIAL” in a Truth Social post. “He’s Young, Strong, and Smart! Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country,” Trump wrote. “He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”
Musk followed suit with a post on X, stating his “full endorsement” for Ramaswamy, further solidifying the billionaire’s growing political influence.
During his announcement speech, Ramaswamy spoke about his vision for Ohio, promising to turn the state into “the state of excellence in America.” He vowed to make Ohio the top destination for conservatives, competing with Republican strongholds like Texas and Florida. “President Trump is reviving our conviction in America,” he said. “We require a leader here at home who will revive our conviction in Ohio.”
Ramaswamy, whose estimated net worth exceeds $1 billion, gained national recognition during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries before exiting the race after a fourth-place finish in Iowa.
Following Trump’s victory, he was tapped to co-lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Musk. While speculation once tied him to a possible vice-presidential nod, reports suggest a December social media post about American culture may have distanced him from Trump’s inner circle.
Despite this, Ramaswamy insists his relationship with Trump and Musk remains strong, calling his Ohio campaign a strategic move to drive change at the state level while maintaining close ties with national conservative leaders.
The Ohio governor’s race is shaping up to be a major battleground, with Ramaswamy’s high-profile endorsements setting the stage for a competitive primary.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, former state health director Dr. Amy Acton has entered the race, aiming to win an office that her party has held for only a single term since 1990.
With Trump’s backing and Musk’s influence, Ramaswamy’s candidacy injects fresh energy into the Ohio GOP primary, making it a race to watch in 2026.