As President Trump hit the ground running on Inauguration Day, settling back into the Oval Office and issuing a flurry of Executive Orders, one of his hand-picked lieutenants was making news of his own: Vivek Ramaswamy was out at DOGE.

Ramaswamy had been expected to team up with Elon Musk to take a buzzsaw to the federal bureaucracy, but there seemed to be cracks forming in that alliance even before January 20. Some reports indicated that Ramaswamy decided at the last minute to lobby Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for JD Vance's vacant Senate seat, which ultimately went to Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. 

Shocking Shakeup at DOGE As Vivek Ramaswamy Dips Out, Leaving Elon Musk As Top Dog (Updated)

Despite His DOGE Duties, Vivek Ramaswamy May Be Looking to Take Another Run for Higher Office

Since DeWine himself is term-limited from running again, speculation grew that Ramaswamy, having failed to snag the Ohio Senate seat, would turn his attention toward the governorship. As RedState reported last month:

Ramaswamy, who grew up in the Cincinnati area and currently lives in Columbus, may have been actively trying to nab the Vance Senate seat, but he also "sees himself as an executive." It, therefore, makes a ton of sense that he'd set his sights on the governor's race. 

It also makes a ton of sense for him to make the move right now, as he has a fundraising machine in place from his presidential run, and his public profile, particularly in the realm of politics, has never been higher. Add in the fact that he's likely to have Trump's full support, and it could be a case of "now or never" for Ramaswamy. 

When the likes of Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) began congratulating the former presidential candidate on his run for higher office before he even made an announcement, it looked like a sure thing that it was just a matter of time.

And it was. 

On Monday, Ramaswamy made it official—he's in.

At his campaign launch, Ramaswamy declared: “America is back, and it feels fantastic.” He also delved into his vision for the Buckeye State.

What he's saying: "President Trump is reviving our conviction in America, we require a leader here at home who will revive our conviction in Ohio," Ramaswamy said at the rally announcing his candidacy at CTL Aerospace.

• "We will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country where we embrace capitalism and meritocracy instead of apologizing for it, we will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country that takes a hatchet to red tape over regulation and bureaucracy," added the Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur.
• "I will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country where patriots across America actually flock to instead of Florida and Texas, I will lead Ohio to be the state of excellence in America," he said.

The endorsements are already rolling in from Republican state officials, including Ohio State Treasurer Robert Sprague and Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and Ramaswamy has reportedly nabbed some Vance staffers for his campaign. And early support is also on his side, with a Fabrizio, Lee & Associates poll from January showing Ramaswamy with 50% support.

The 2026 governor's race in Ohio is just one of many of the political campaigns RedState will be covering as the next election cycle gets underway. Help us tell the stories of conservatives looking to make a difference by becoming a RedState VIP right now, and you can use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership. Join us!