Written by Nathan Phillips.
On Monday, February 24, 2025, Vivek Ramaswamy stepped onto a stage in Cincinnati, his hometown, and announced his bid for Ohio governor with a promise to restore the state’s past glory while pushing it toward a future of innovation and excellence. The 39-year-old biotech millionaire, once a contender in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, is now setting his sights on succeeding term-limited Governor Mike DeWine in 2026. His launch event at CTL Aerospace wasn’t just a formality—it was a declaration of intent to reshape Ohio’s trajectory, and it’s already stirring the pot in what’s shaping up to be a crowded Republican primary.
Ramaswamy’s Vision for Ohio’s Revival
Ramaswamy didn’t hold back in his speech, laying out a clear goal: make Ohio the “state of excellence” in America again. He argued that the state’s reputation has slipped—think of how people online toss around “that’s so Ohio” as a jab—but it wasn’t always that way. A century ago, Ohio was a powerhouse, home to industrial giants and inventors who shaped the nation. Now, he says, it’s time to reclaim that mantle. His plan? Boost industries like biotech, semiconductors, and nuclear energy while tackling what he sees as a culture of complacency.
For the average Ohioan—maybe a factory worker in Toledo or a teacher in Columbus—this pitch might resonate. Jobs matter, and Ramaswamy’s focus on high-tech sectors could mean more opportunities in a state that’s lost some of its economic edge. But it’s not all rosy. His past comments about American workers—calling out a “veneration of mediocrity”—have already sparked pushback, and that tension followed him to the rally. Still, he doubled down, insisting Ohio can lead if it stops settling for less.
He’s got a track record to lean on. After building Roivant Sciences into a billion-dollar pharma player, Ramaswamy knows how to turn ideas into results. His brief stint alongside Elon Musk at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) before exiting last month showed he’s not afraid to shake up systems—though some wonder if that experience translates to running a state. Either way, his campaign’s off to a fast start, with stops planned in Columbus, Toledo, and Cleveland over the next two days.
A Crowded GOP Field Takes Shape
The 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race is heating up, and Ramaswamy isn’t alone. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost threw his hat in last week, bringing decades of public service—think prosecuting corruption cases like the FirstEnergy scandal—and a down-home appeal. “This is my heart, my home,” Yost said in his announcement, framing himself as a steady hand for Ohioans. At 68, he’s got the experience Ramaswamy lacks, and that’s a point he’s not shy about making.
Then there’s Heather Hill, a former Morgan County school board member, who’s also in the mix. She’s a long shot, but her grassroots angle could appeal to rural voters. Meanwhile, Jim Tressel, the ex-Ohio State football coach turned lieutenant governor, is mulling a run—his name alone could pull in fans across the state. Robert Sprague, the state treasurer, was set to jump in but pivoted to secretary of state after endorsing Ramaswamy, a move that nods to Vivek’s early momentum.
Ohio’s Republican primaries have a history of getting messy—look at the 2022 Senate race JD Vance won with Trump’s backing. Ramaswamy’s betting on a similar edge. His team includes Vance’s top advisors—Andy Surabian, Jai Chabria, Tony Fabrizio, and Arthur Schwartz—guys who’ve steered winning campaigns. With Trump’s influence still looming large (he carried Ohio by 11 points in 2024), their involvement signals Ramaswamy’s got the MAGA muscle. But Yost isn’t backing down, and if Tressel jumps in, it’s anyone’s game.
From DOGE to Governor: Ramaswamy’s Path
Ramaswamy’s journey to this moment has been a whirlwind. Back in February 2023, he launched a long-shot presidential bid, pushing an “America First 2.0” agenda. He climbed the polls fast, praising Trump as the century’s best president despite running against him. After a weak fourth-place finish in Iowa, he dropped out, endorsed Trump, and hit the campaign trail as a surrogate. Post-election, Trump tapped him and Musk to lead DOGE, a project aimed at slashing federal waste.
But DOGE didn’t last long for Vivek. He stepped away on Inauguration Day—January 20, 2025—saying he had “future plans in Ohio.” That exit cleared the lane for Musk to run the show, but it also freed Ramaswamy to focus here. His parting words? “It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE.” Some saw it as a dodge—why leave a high-profile gig so soon? Others say it was strategic, letting him pivot to a state he knows inside out, raised in Evendale by Indian immigrant parents who built lives in engineering and medicine.
The DOGE stint wasn’t without baggage. He and Musk stirred a hornet’s nest among MAGA diehards by backing H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers—Ramaswamy arguing it’s not about cost but quality. That riled up the base, and his culture critique didn’t help. Now, he’s carrying that debate into Ohio, where manufacturing towns like Youngstown have felt the sting of job losses. Can he sell his vision without alienating the very voters he needs? It’s a tightrope walk.
Our Take
Ramaswamy’s entry into the Ohio governor’s race is a jolt to the system—and that’s no small feat in a state where Republicans have ruled the roost for years. His outsider energy, tied to a knack for big ideas, could shake up a GOP primary that might’ve coasted on familiarity. Yost brings the résumé, sure, but Vivek’s got the buzz—and with Vance’s crew in his corner, he’s not messing around. I’ve watched Ohio politics shift red over a decade, and this feels like a test: can a national figure with no elected experience flip the script on a state level? His focus on industry and excellence makes sense—Ohio’s got the bones to lead again—but the H-1B flap and DOGE dropout raise questions about his staying power. If he nails turnout and lands Trump’s nod, he’s tough to beat. Still, it’s early, and Ohioans don’t just hand over the keys without a fight.
