Vivek Ramaswamy announces 2026 Ohio governor bid, gains Trump, Musk endorsements

Vivek Ramaswamy, a 39-year-old biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, officially announced his candidacy for the Ohio governorship in a rally in Cincinnati, with endorsements from both Elon Musk and Donald Trump. In his campaign, Ramaswamy emphasized a vision to revive Ohio's economic strength by introducing merit-based pay for teachers, eliminating income tax, and creating a favorable environment for businesses. He criticized current regulations and pledged to cut excess bureaucracy, aiming to make Ohio the top state for families and businesses. Ramaswamy previously dropped out of the 2024 presidential race to support Trump and co-led the Department of Government Efficiency initiative with Musk. He faces competition from Republican Attorney General Dave Yost and former Ohio health director Amy Acton, a Democrat. Ramaswamy believes Ohio can lead economically again, particularly in emerging industries like biotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing.