Cleveland This week’s move by Vivek Ramaswamy to run for governor of Ohio did not clear or freeze the Republican field as someone who is so obviously and closely associated with President-elect Donald Trump would often do.
According to two people with firsthand knowledge of his intentions who spoke to NBC News, the biotech entrepreneur who has not yet formally started working with billionaire Elon Musk to lead Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency is anticipated to start a campaign shortly.
An Ohio official familiar with Vivek’s thinking texted him, “His basic plan is still [the] same: to get accomplishments at DOGE and then announce a run for governor shortly.”
When Governor Mike DeWine selected Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, another Republican vying for the governorship, to the Senate seat recently vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance on Friday, Ramaswamy’s path was theoretically easier. To replace the term-limited DeWine, however, at least two other GOP officeholders with statewide name recognition—Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and state Treasurer Robert Sprague—were already putting together their own bids for governor.
Following Husted’s Friday appointment and the ensuing commotion around Ramaswamy, Yost and Sprague gave the indication that their preparations have not only remained the same but have actually gotten more intense.
Justin Clark, a seasoned veteran of Trump’s campaigns and first administration, has been hired by Yost’s team to serve as the general consultant for his soon-to-be gubernatorial campaign.
According to Amy Natoce, a Yost spokesperson and senior adviser, Justin is well-known around the nation for winning some of the most fiercely contested contests. He has been President Trump’s adviser for many years, so he understands what it’s like to collaborate with conservative America First candidates like Dave Yost. We are very happy to have him on our team because of his essential experience.
Additionally, Yost sent out a text message to his fans on Friday night announcing his intention to travel to Washington, D.C., for Trump’s inauguration.
Yost added, “As your next governor, I’ll collaborate with President Trump to further his America first agenda.” A special announcement on my bid for governor will be made soon!
In the meanwhile, Sprague submitted documents to the Ohio secretary of state on Friday outlining his intentions to run for governor, a step that a spokeswoman said was a precursor to a formal declaration.
Sprague wrote on X, “I’ll continue to fight to protect our freedoms, fix a broken system, and establish Ohio as the Midwest’s economic powerhouse.” In the coming weeks, I look forward to presenting my vision for Ohio with the people of this state, who deserve bold, proven leadership.
Ramaswamy’s personal riches and documented connections to Trump could make him difficult to defeat, even against recognized electoral figures, according to an experienced Ohio Republican strategist who has worked on governor races there, even though Yost and Sprague aren’t backing down.
According to the strategist, who was given anonymity to express his frank thoughts about an unresolved area where Trump might have significant impact, Vivek’s blank check and the conservative following he has developed place him in the lead.
After serving two terms as DeWine’s lieutenant governor, two terms as Ohio’s secretary of state, and his previous position as speaker of the state House, Husted had long been a front-runner for the governorship. However, DeWine chose him to replace Vance’s position because he knew that his close ally would face a possibly brutal GOP primary.
Husted is friendly with Ramaswamy, who lives close to Columbus and briefly ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. While Husted was lieutenant governor, he was a member of the board of InnovateOhio, a state government initiative.
Whether or when Ramaswamy must leave the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, in order to run for governor is unclear. Given Trump’s declaration that DOGE will not function as a formal government agency, Musk and Ramaswamy may be able to carry on with their outside political and commercial endeavors.
In an interview with NBC News on Friday, Husted stated that he would not support in the race until he saw who would run for governor. He mentioned that he and Vivek had a long and positive friendship.
Husted continued, “I’m interested in learning about his plans.”
Since 2006, Ohio has not had a Democrat elected governor. Trump has won the state by wide margins three times, and DeWine defeated Democrat Nan Whaley, the mayor of Dayton at the time, by 25 points in his 2022 reelection race.
Earlier this month, Dr. Amy Acton, a Democrat and doctor who rose to prominence during the early stages of the pandemic as DeWine’s very visible health director, announced her intention to run for governor.
In a statement released by her campaign following the Husted and Ramaswamy revelation, Acton stated, “I’m running for governor because I refuse to look away from Ohioans who are struggling.” Instead of another self-serving politician, Ohioans need a governor who will address issues and allow us all some breathing room.