The Ohio-born biotech entrepreneur, who still lives in the state, launched his bid a month after leaving DOGE.
CINCINNATI, Ohio—Vivek Ramaswamy, the Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur who ran for president last year before leaving the race and supporting now-President Donald Trump, has launched a bid for Ohio governor.
His announcement on Feb. 24 had been anticipated for several weeks since the 39-year-old Ramaswamy left his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the first day of Trump’s new term.
The Cincinnati native, who now lives in suburban Columbus, kicked off his candidacy at CTL Aerospace amid a crowd holding “Vivek for Ohio” signs. Many attendees wore pro-Trump and pro-DOGE apparel.
Born to Indian parents, Ramaswamy earned degrees at Harvard University and Yale Law School before he gained success as an investment partner for hedge fund QVT Financial, founded Roivant Sciences, and co-founded his own investment firm Strive Asset Management.
He first rose to national prominence with his 2021 book, “Woke Inc: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam.”
During his presidential campaign, he outlined 10 core beliefs, led by “God is real” followed by “there are two genders,” in his 2024 book, ”Truths: The Future of America First.”
Ramaswamy has vowed to be a pro-business governor and referenced how, in the early 1900s, Ohio boasted six of the wealthiest cities (Akron, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown) in the country because of industry.
He said Ohio will lead the nation’s second industrial revolution in the “sectors of the future.”
Ramaswamy also vowed to “break down income tax to zero.”
“It is your money, not the government’s,” he said.
He also said that he will drive down property taxes.
“It’s your land, not a lease from the government,” he said.
Reattaching work requirements to Medicaid and welfare will be another objective, he promised. He said this will help Ohioans “achieve independence.”
Ramaswamy said he would bolster Ohio’s education for students and noted he would support homeschooling along with public, private, and charter schools.
“Ohio will be the first state in the nation that implements merit-based pay for every teacher, principal, and superintendent,” he added.
