President Donald Trump endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy’s bid for governor on the same night the Cincinnati-area native launched his 2026 campaign.
“He’s Young, Strong, and Smart!” Trump wrote on Truth Social about his former pick to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency with billionaire Elon Musk. “Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country. He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”
Ramaswamy, 39, who lives in Upper Arlington, was complimentary of Trump during his campaign launch, saying America was at a fork in the road in 2024 but made the right choice to reelect Trump. Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, has been a loyal Trump surrogate since he dropped out of the presidential race after the Iowa caucuses.
That loyalty goes both ways. Trump had pitched Ramaswamy as a replacement for Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat and swiftly endorsed him for Ohio governor to replace term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine.
Trump’s support has been crucial for Republicans in primaries in Ohio, including Vance’s 2022 Senate bid and Sen. Bernie Moreno’s successful run in 2024. Early, internal polling indicated Trump’s nod would be important to the 2026 Republican primary for governor between Ramaswamy and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Yost said Tuesday that his campaign would proceed. “Congratulations to Mr. Ramaswamy. I support President Trump and hope to earn his. Our campaign continues.”
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy endorses former President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign in Atkinson, N.H., on Jan. 16, 2024.
Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Donald Trump endorses Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio governor in 2026
