In a move that surprised many political observers in Ohio, former President Donald Trump swiftly tossed his support behind Vivek Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur embarking on a campaign for governor. Ramaswamy, who previously co-chaired the Department of Government Efficiency, received high praise from Trump, who took to his Truth Social platform to commend him as “something SPECIAL,” emphasizing his youth, strength, and intelligence.
This endorsement grabbed attention due to its timing, occurring earlier than anticipated for a race still a year away. Political analysts in Ohio have observed Trump’s evolving pattern in endorsing candidates, noting how his involvement has shifted from mere days before elections to several months ahead, and now, surprisingly, over a year out.
Some speculate that Trump’s early endorsement may be a strategic maneuver aimed at Ohio’s political landscape, potentially sending a message to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who is vying for the Republican nomination, and possibly to newly appointed Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, whose political aspirations remain uncertain. Long-time Republican campaign adviser Robert Clegg noted that such early backing could be an effort by Trump to avoid a contentious primary battle.
Trump’s historical influence in Ohio politics is well-documented. In 2022, he endorsed JD Vance in the U.S. Senate primary just days before the vote, propelling Vance to both primary and general election victories. Similarly, Trump’s earlier endorsement of Bernie Moreno cemented a successful Senate run. This time, however, Trump wasted no time in aligning himself with Ramaswamy.
Ramaswamy faces the challenge of proving his credentials in a state that has consistently favored Trump in previous elections. Despite lacking a political résumé, Ramaswamy has gathered a team of seasoned political advisers, including those who aided Vance’s Senate campaign, and secured endorsements from influential conservatives like Utah Senator Mike Lee.
Despite Trump’s endorsement, outcomes in governor races have been mixed. While his backing aided candidates like Greg Abbott in Texas and Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Arkansas, it faltered in other states, such as with Scott Walker in Wisconsin and Kari Lake in Arizona.
Tom Zawistowski, a leader of the Ohio tea party movement, attributed Trump’s backing of Ramaswamy as a factor influencing Jon Husted’s decision to accept a Senate appointment, suggesting Husted wanted to avoid a well-funded Ramaswamy opponent bolstered by a Trump endorsement. Zawistowski insinuated that Tressel’s appointment might be a strategic placeholder for a potential gubernatorial run if Yost’s campaign does not gain traction.
Yost, on the defensive, has already started challenging Ramaswamy’s candidacy, questioning his commitment and reliability by highlighting his past political and business decisions that seem inconsistent with Ohio’s interests. The Buckeye Freedom Fund, a super PAC supporting Yost, quickly launched attacks on Ramaswamy, attempting to tie him to more liberal policies.
Meanwhile, Ramaswamy’s campaign has brushed off these criticisms, focusing on the high-profile endorsements it has received, suggesting that the opposition’s attacks are a result of their inability to match Ramaswamy’s support base.
Zawistowski hypothesized that Jim Tressel, with his background in college football and academia, could potentially amass significant financial backing from the Ohio State University community. He warned of potential efforts to rally moderate Republicans and Democrats in the GOP primary against Ramaswamy, pointing out that Trump’s swift commitment to Ramaswamy might be a countermeasure to such political maneuvers.
