In Columbus, Ohio, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy officially launched his campaign for governor earlier this week, receiving a prompt endorsement from former President Donald Trump. The Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur was praised by Trump as a “SPECIAL” contender, highlighting him as “Young, Strong, and Smart.”
The endorsement appeared on Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he described Ramaswamy as a person who deeply loves the country, expressing confidence in his ability to be a “GREAT Governor of Ohio.” The move sparked interest among political analysts in Ohio, who noted Trump’s increasing tendency to make endorsements much earlier than in prior years.
Political strategist Robert Clegg suggested that Trump’s early support might signal to Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who is also eyeing the gubernatorial position, or possibly to Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, whose political future is still uncertain. Clegg remarked that the endorsement’s timing was unusually early, suggesting Trump might be aiming to prevent a contentious primary battle in Ohio.
Previously, Trump withheld his Senate primary endorsement until near election day but decisively backed JD Vance in 2022, helping him become a U.S. Senator. His timely support of Bernie Moreno last year also contributed to a successful Senate primary and election win. This year, Trump wasted no time endorsing Ramaswamy.
The support is anticipated to bolster Ramaswamy’s campaign, especially in overcoming doubts about his limited experience in statewide office, in a state that has supported Trump in three presidential elections. Ramaswamy’s campaign had already enlisted experienced political advisors and garnered endorsements from notable conservative figures, such as Utah Senator Mike Lee, before Trump’s official backing.
Despite Trump’s inconsistent track record with gubernatorial endorsements, such as his support aiding Greg Abbott in Texas but failing to help Scott Walker in Wisconsin, Ramaswamy aims to leverage Trump’s influence in Ohio. Commentators, like Tom Zawistowski from Ohio’s tea party movement, speculated that a potential Trump endorsement was a factor in then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted accepting a Senate appointment, avoiding a possibly formidable challenge from Ramaswamy.
Zawistowski proposed that Governor Mike DeWine appointed Tressel to position him as a viable establishment Republican should Yost struggle to gain traction in the race. Yost criticized Ramaswamy’s reliability, citing his early departure from various roles, including his presidential campaign. Yost’s supporting PAC has also sent out messages against Ramaswamy, implying contradictions in his stance on transgender military service.
Ramaswamy’s campaign counters such attacks by emphasizing his numerous high-profile endorsements, suggesting that rivals have little option but to misrepresent his views. Zawistowski considered Tressel, known for his leadership roles in Ohio sports, capable of rallying substantial funding from Ohio State alumni and fans, possibly challenging Trump’s influence among the state’s MAGA supporters.
Ramaswamy’s pursuit to avoid a split in Republican support, which could benefit Democratic candidate Amy Acton, might explain Trump’s swift endorsement, positioning Ramaswamy as a strong contender in next year’s election.
