Trump and Musk Endorse Vivek Ramaswamy in 2026 Ohio Governor Race

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in his bid for Ohio governor in 2026. Trump shared his support on his Truth Social account, highlighting Ramaswamy as “Young, Strong, and Smart,” and emphasized his character, calling him a “very good person” who loves the country. Trump expressed strong confidence that Ramaswamy would make a great governor of Ohio, stating that he has his “COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT.”
Elon Musk, a prominent Trump ally and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), also gave his endorsement to Ramaswamy. Musk praised Ramaswamy on X, saying, “Good luck, you have my full endorsement!” Musk’s support adds to Ramaswamy’s momentum as he moves forward with his campaign.
Ramaswamy, a 39-year-old biotech entrepreneur, officially launched his campaign for Ohio governor on Monday, expressing his goal to make Ohio the “top state in the country.” At his campaign rally, he stated, “President Trump is reviving our conviction in America,” and emphasized the need for a leader who would do the same for Ohio. He expressed his gratitude for Trump’s endorsement, saying, “Thank you, President Trump. I’m truly honored to have your endorsement. We’re behind you all the way & we will Make Ohio Great Again!”
Ramaswamy’s entry into the race comes as current Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, also a Republican, completes his second and final term in office. DeWine is prohibited by state law from seeking a third term, leaving the governor’s seat open for new leadership. Ramaswamy aims to succeed DeWine and represents a more populist and outsider approach compared to DeWine’s more moderate conservatism.
Ramaswamy’s political career began as a Republican presidential candidate in 2024, where he positioned himself as an outsider with a message similar to Trump’s “America First” agenda. After a fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, Ramaswamy dropped out of the race and became a vocal Trump supporter. His political views align with Trump’s, particularly on issues like government reform. He was later selected to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) with Elon Musk, though he left the position to pursue his run for governor.
Ramaswamy’s platform for Ohio is closely tied to Trump’s policy priorities, with a focus on limiting the power of the federal government. He has advocated for extreme measures like abolishing the FBI and IRS and scaling back immigration programs such as the H-1B visa system, which allows skilled foreign workers to enter the U.S. Ramaswamy argues that American culture has been too focused on “mediocrity over excellence” and advocates for a more competitive approach to governance and the economy.
Ramaswamy, brings a business-oriented background to his political campaign. He has positioned himself as a political outsider, similar to Trump, with a focus on innovation and reform. His wealth and experience as a biotech entrepreneur add to his profile as a candidate who is not part of the traditional political establishment.
The Republican primary for Ohio governor will take place in 2026, alongside national elections for Congress. Ramaswamy’s campaign will likely draw contrasts between his outsider status and the more moderate conservatism of DeWine, who has occasionally spoken out against Trump. With the backing of both Trump and Musk, Ramaswamy’s candidacy has already gained significant attention and support, and he will be a key contender in the race for Ohio’s top office.