In Columbus, Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has launched his campaign for governor, and soon after, President Donald Trump voiced his support for the Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur. Trump took to his Truth Social platform, praising Ramaswamy as “something SPECIAL,” and hailed him as “Young, Strong, and Smart!” He expressed his confidence in Ramaswamy’s dedication to the country, declaring his “COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT” for the candidate’s gubernatorial run in Ohio.
This swift endorsement captured the attention of Ohio’s political circles. Over recent years, Trump’s endorsement history for statewide races in Ohio has shown a pattern of timing that has moved from just before elections to well in advance of them, now over a year ahead. Political strategist Robert Clegg commented on the early endorsement, wondering if it was a signal aimed at Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost or perhaps Jim Tressel, the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor and a beloved former Ohio State Buckeyes football coach, whose political intentions remain uncertain.
“It’s pretty early for something like this; I was expecting a possible endorsement sometime in the fall or even the following year,” Clegg remarked. “Perhaps the president wants to avoid a contentious primary here in Ohio.” This contrasts with Trump’s endorsement during the 2022 U.S. Senate race, which was only revealed days before elections and helped shape the outcome in favor of JD Vance.
In contrast, Trump endorsed Republican Bernie Moreno for Senate far ahead of the primary, a move that preceded Moreno’s success in securing both the primary and general election victories. For Ramaswamy, the endorsement from Trump might prove beneficial as the candidate navigates challenges associated with his limited experience in statewide governance, despite Ohio’s consistent support for Trump over three election cycles.
Previously a GOP presidential candidate in 2024, Ramaswamy has secured key political advisors from Vance’s successful 2022 Senate campaign and endorsements from conservative figures, such as Utah Sen. Mike Lee. Despite Trump’s support, it’s worth noting his mixed success rate in gubernatorial races, with endorsements affecting different outcomes in states like Texas, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Arizona.
Ohio tea party influencer Tom Zawistowski suggested that Trump’s expected endorsement of Ramaswamy may have been a factor in Lt. Gov. Jon Husted’s decision to assume the Senate seat vacated by Vance. “Jon Husted couldn’t withstand a Trump endorsement combined with a well-funded opponent in Vivek,” Zawistowski commented, ascribing the shift in the political scene to Ohio’s dynamic political backdrop.
He further hypothesized that Gov. Mike DeWine’s appointment of Tressel as Husted’s successor might position Tressel as the establishment Republican candidate, should Yost’s campaign lose momentum. However, Yost, who faces term limitations, countered by questioning Ramaswamy’s reliability in a statement, casting doubt on his lengthy participation in the governor’s race and pointing to past decisions that, according to Yost, were inconsistent with Ohio’s interests.
The Buckeye Freedom Fund, supporting Yost, has initiated a campaign targeting Ramaswamy, juxtaposing his policies with those of Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, particularly concerning the military service of transgender individuals. In response, Ramaswamy’s camp stressed that endorsements from conservative leaders including Trump and Elon Musk leave adversaries little recourse but to misrepresent statements.
Zawistowski identified Tressel as an “institutionalist,” hinting at the potential for significant fundraising from Ohio State alumni and the fanbase, known collectively as Buckeye Nation. With Trump, Musk, and DOGE’s backing so far well-received by the state’s MAGA base, Zawistowski suggested that Tressel might appeal to moderate Republicans and Democrats in the GOP primary, potentially bypassing Democratic candidate Amy Acton.
Zawistowski speculated that Trump’s early entry into the endorsement might aim to prevent this potential shift in primary dynamics by consolidating support for Ramaswamy from the outset.