Vivek Ramaswamy, one-time Republican candidate for president, on Monday afternoon formally announced his candidacy for governor of Ohio while in Cincinnati at CTL Aerospace.
Ramaswamy said he will campaign on business growth; education; an embrace of capitalism and meritocracy; deregulation; and enhancing innovation in aerospace and artificial intelligence.
Ramaswamy, 39, joins a primary field for the 2026 cycle that includes state Attorney General Dave Yost and Morgan County Board of Education President Heather Hill. Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, a 72-year-old chosen by term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine to fill the remainder of now-Sen. Jon Husted’s term as lieutenant governor, is being watched for his potential plans.
Dr. Amy Acton is a Democratic candidate for an office that her party has won just once, for a single four-year term by Gov. Ted Strickland, since Gov. Richard Celeste won back-to-back terms in 1982 and 1986.
Ramaswamy, biotech investor with net worth valued at more than $1 billion, stepped out of the 2024 presidential election race after finishing fourth in the Iowa caucus. A week after Donald Trump won that election, he and Elon Musk were named to lead the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency.
Ramaswamy, considered a vice-presidential ticket candidate last summer, stepped away from that before Trump’s inauguration. Published reports say his social media post in December about American culture rankled the incoming administration. If true, a potential endorsement from the powerful lobby that is the United States president could well be going to an opponent.
Ramaswamy says there is a “great relationship” of Trump, fellow DOGE leader Elon Musk and himself. He says the choice to lead in Ohio enables all three to effect the most change.
Ramaswamy’s presidential campaign points were aligned with what is generally called “woke” agendas. He wanted to reduce the federal government size, including elimination of some departments such as education; opposed environmental, social, and governance policies in investments, commonly known as ESG; warned of actions with China; and opposed affirmative action.
The Monday announcement has been expected.
