Synopsis
Vivek Ramaswamy is reportedly preparing to announce his candidacy for governor of Ohio, potentially making history as the third Indian-American governor. He has a significant financial advantage and previously held a prominent role in the Trump administration.Key Takeaways
- Vivek Ramaswamy is planning to run for Ohio governor.
- If elected, he would be the third Indian-American governor.
- Ramaswamy previously ran for the Republican presidential nomination.
- He has a significant financial advantage in the race.
- Trump has shown support for Ramaswamy's political aspirations.
New York, Jan 20 (NationPress) Vivek Ramaswamy, who was appointed by US President-elect Donald Trump as the co-head of an initiative aimed at enhancing government efficiency, is reportedly gearing up to run for governor of Ohio, as per various media outlets.
USA Today reported on Sunday that a source familiar with Ramaswamy's plans indicated that he would be making his gubernatorial announcement "shortly".
If successful in his campaign, Ramaswamy would mark a significant milestone as the third Indian-American elected governor, following Bobby Jindal in Louisiana and Nikki Haley in South Carolina, both of whom are Republicans.
All three previously made unsuccessful attempts to secure their party's presidential nomination.
A self-proclaimed anti-Left advocate, Ramaswamy, aged 39, initially ran against Trump for the Republican Party's presidential nomination but eventually withdrew to become one of Trump's staunchest supporters.
Trump appointed him to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk after indicating during the campaign that he might even be considered for Secretary of State.
"He's really smart, and I hope he's going to be involved in our administration," Trump stated.
"We can assign him to oversee one of these large entities (within government), and he will outperform anyone you can think of."
At DOGE, an advisory organization outside of government, Ramaswamy, characterized by his strong personality and wealth, found himself somewhat overshadowed by Musk, whose more prominent persona and billionaire status brought him closer to Trump.
While the exact role of DOGE is still being finalized, the ambiguity surrounding Ramaswamy's position offers him a viable alternative through a gubernatorial campaign.
Last week, reports surfaced that Trump suggested Ramaswamy consider the Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, should the opportunity arise.
However, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who is responsible for appointing an interim senator, selected Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, a potential successor.
This development has opened the door for Ramaswamy's gubernatorial ambitions, as he now seeks to secure the Republican nomination for the upcoming election in November next year, alongside the Midterm elections for Congress.
Reports indicate that Ohio's Attorney General Dave Yost and Treasurer Robert Sprague are also preparing to pursue the nomination.
Ohio is predominantly Republican, which suggests that the party's candidate will have a favorable path to the governorship.
Trump won the state by over 11 percent, and Republicans hold a commanding majority in both legislative chambers.
Ramaswamy, with a net worth estimated by Forbes at $960 million, possesses a financial edge in the race, allowing him to self-fund his campaign, unlike some of his competitors.
His wealth was primarily amassed through his ventures in the biotech sector, and he currently manages a hedge fund that he co-founded.
In August, Ramaswamy expressed interest in both the Senate and gubernatorial positions. In an interview with the Outback website, he stated, "There is considerable momentum for me to consider the governor's position in Ohio. How can I not take it into account?"
He also mentioned, "With the Senate seat now vacant in my home state of Ohio, many have encouraged me to contemplate that option as well," he noted.
