Vivek Ramaswamy has officially begun his campaign to become Ohio’s next governor, vowing that his bid will not be “your usual gubernatorial dog-and-pony show.”
The biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate marked Valentine’s Day by submitting paperwork to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, signaling his intent to run in the 2026 election.
Ramaswamy, a 39-year-old Cincinnati native, has yet to make a formal announcement about his campaign. However, he has repeatedly hinted at his interest in pursuing an elected position at the state level.
“Big announcement in Ohio coming on Feb 24. It won’t be your usual gubernatorial dog-and-pony show,” he told The Post on Saturday.
His campaign is expected to officially launch on February 24 at CTL Aerospace Inc. in Cincinnati, followed by a speech at Axium Packaging near Columbus, according to a report by the Associated Press.
A website that appears to be associated with Ramaswamy’s campaign teases “a big announcement” and is funded by “Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio,” further confirming his political aspirations.
Speculation about Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial ambitions began after he abandoned plans to co-lead the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency alongside Elon Musk last month.
At that time, a Trump-Vance transition spokesperson informed The Post that Ramaswamy’s interest in running for governor was the primary reason for his departure from the committee tasked with identifying ways to reduce the size of the federal government.
By entering the race, Ramaswamy will compete in a Republican primary to replace Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who is limited by term restrictions. Other candidates in the GOP primary include Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Heather Hill, a former member of the Buckeye State’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.
Jon Husted, the former lieutenant governor of Ohio and a perceived frontrunner in the race, withdrew last month after being appointed to the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Vice President JD Vance.
Ramaswamy has already secured endorsements from two Republican officials holding statewide office: Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Treasurer Robert Sprague.