Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is expected to announce his candidacy for governor of his home state of Ohio in the last week of January, a source close to the millionaire biotech entrepreneur tells Fox Digital News.
Two days ago, multiple sources confirmed to Fox News that Ramaswamy could launch a gubernatorial campaign "soon." Ramaswamy and Elon Musk are co-leaders of President-elect Trump’s Department of Administration Effectiveness (DOGE) initiative. ".
"Vivek's basic plan remains the same: Get accomplished at DOGE and then quickly announce a run for governor," an Ohio operative familiar with Ramaswamy's thinking told Fox News on Friday.
Vivek Ramaswamy speaks before former President Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024 in New York City. (Anna Chanmemaker/Getty Images)
Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2026.
DeWine announced on Friday that Lt. Gov. Jon Husted will fill the U.S. Senate seat that has been held by former Sen. Vance, the vice president-elect who was elected earlier this month. People resigned before taking office on Monday.
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Before the Senate announcement, Husted had planned to run for governor in 2026 to succeed DeWine. Ramaswamy expressed interest in serving in the Senate.
DeWine's decision to choose Husted to fill the vacant Senate seat appeared to hasten Ramaswamy's launch of a gubernatorial campaign.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announces the appointment of Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted (right) to fill the previously U.S. Senate seat held by Vice President-elect JD Vance. (AP Photo/Julie Carr Smith)
Ramaswamy, 39, launched his bid for president in February 2023, and his stock has risen as he went from favorite to contender for the Republican nomination.
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Ramaswamy, who campaigned on what he calls an "America First 2.0" agenda, is one of Trump's biggest supporters in a field of rivals, calling Trump "the most successful president of this century."
Vivek Ramaswamy supports former President Trump at a campaign event in Atkinson, New Hampshire, on January 16, 2024. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
He abandoned his bid for the White House a year ago after finishing a distant fourth in the Iowa caucuses and quickly endorsed Trump, becoming the campaign's top surrogate.
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Trump announced in November that Ramaswamy would be appointed to lead DOGE alongside Musk, the world's richest man.
Once a top election battleground, Ohio has turned red over the past decade as Republicans have dominated statewide elections.