New Delhi: Former Republican presidential candidate and Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is reportedly preparing to run for Ohio governor in 2026, according to a The Washington Post report. Ramaswamy who was born in Ohio is expected to announce his candidacy after governor Mike DeWine names his successor for vice president-elect JD Vance’s Senate seat from the state.
Ramaswamy has been a vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump and along with Elon Musk has been tasked to streamline government spending and efficiency under the incoming administration in the unofficial Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). The tech bros have been asked to identify and reduce waste in the federal budget, they have been given time till July 4, 2026.
Elections in November 2026
“Vivek’s base plan remains the same: to achieve measurable accomplishments at DOGE and then announce his run for governor,” Washington Post quoted a source as saying. Ohio’s gubernatorial election to replace Republican governor Mike DeWine — who is term-limited —will take place in Nov 2026.
DeWine, meanwhile, has named his deputy Jon Husted for Vance’s vacant Senate seat. Husted’s appointment will maintain the Republicans slim majority in the Senate. A special election for Vance’s seat will take place in November 2026, to complete the remaining term.
Initally, there were reports of Ramaswamy being named Vance’s successor from Ohio and he is now fully focussed on the governor elections. If he wins he would become only the third Indian-American to become governor of a US state after Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley.
