Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is done at President Trump’s The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, a source close to the multi-millionaire biotech entrepreneur confirmed to Fox News Digital.
And Ramaswamy, who along with Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, was tapped by Trump to send DOGE in November, is expected to launch a Republican campaign for Ohio governor early next week, the source said.
GOP Gov Mike DeWine of Ohio is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2026.
DeWine announced Friday that Lt. Gov. Jon Husted would fill the U.S. Senate seat former Senator J.D. Vance until earlier this month, when the vice president-elect resigned ahead of Monday’s inauguration.
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Vivek Ramaswamy is seen during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, Monday, January 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Before the Senate announcement, Husted planned to run for governor in 2026 to succeed DeWine. Ramaswamy, on his part, had expressed interest in serving in the Senate.
DeWine’s decision to choose Husted to fill the vacant Senate seat appeared to accelerate Ramaswamy’s move toward launching a run for governor.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announces his nomination of Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted (right) to fill the U.S. Senate seat previously held by newly elected Vice President J.D. Vance during a press conference on Friday, January 17, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio . (AP Photo/Julie Carr Smyth)
Ramaswamy, 39, who launched his presidential campaign in February 2023, saw his stock rise as he went from a long shot to a contender for the Republican nomination.
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Ramaswamy campaigned on what he called an “America First 2.0” agenda and was one of Trump’s biggest supporters among rivals. He called Trump the “most successful president of our century.”
Vivek Ramaswamy supports former President Trump during a campaign event in Atkinson, New Hampshire, on January 16, 2024. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
He dropped his bid for the White House a year ago after a distant fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses and quickly endorsed Trump, making him a top surrogate on the campaign trail.
Ramaswamy’s departure appears to pave the way for Musk, Trump’s top donor and key ally, to helm DOGE without having to be in the spotlight.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading efforts to reduce government inefficiency. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The move also comes a few weeks after Ramswamy and Musk ignited a firestorm among Trump’s hard-core MAGA supporters over their support for H-1B temporary employment visas for highly skilled workers from abroad.
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Ramaswamy’s comments criticizing an American culture that he said “honored mediocrity over excellence” drew criticism from leading voices on the far right.
Ohio, once a key general election battleground state, has turned red over the past decade as Republicans have dominated statewide elections.
