United States President Donald Trump has officially thrown his weight behind Indian-origin entrepreneur and former Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy in the 2026 Ohio Governor’s race, describing him as “young, strong, and smart,” and a leader who embodies the “true spirit of American conservatism.” The endorsement, announced through Trump’s Truth Social platform, is expected to give Ramaswamy a major boost in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the country.
In his statement, Trump lavished praise on Ramaswamy, calling him “something special” and a patriot who “truly loves our country.” The President highlighted Ramaswamy’s business background, his ideological alignment with the America First movement, and his “fearless commitment to standing up to globalists and bureaucrats.”
“Vivek Ramaswamy is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio, a place I love and won big three times — in 2016, 2020, and 2024. I know Vivek well. I competed against him, and he is something SPECIAL. He is young, strong, and smart,” Trump wrote. He added that Ramaswamy would “lead Ohio into a new era of prosperity” by cutting taxes, restoring energy independence, supporting local manufacturing, and defending Second Amendment rights.
The endorsement came just months before Ohio voters are set to cast their ballots for a new governor in 2026. With incumbent Republican Governor Mike DeWine term-limited, the field is open — and Trump’s backing effectively places Ramaswamy at the top of the Republican ticket. In his post, Trump concluded emphatically: “Vivek Ramaswamy will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio and has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
For Ramaswamy, 39, the endorsement is both a personal and political triumph. The biotech entrepreneur, who gained national attention during his 2024 presidential run, has long positioned himself as a staunch Trump ally and one of the most articulate voices of the post-Trump conservative generation. His presidential campaign — although short-lived — made him a rising star among Republican voters for his combative debate style, anti-woke rhetoric, and proposals to limit bureaucratic overreach in Washington.
After exiting the presidential race early in 2024, Ramaswamy endorsed Trump and later joined the administration as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new agency created to cut federal spending and streamline operations. His collaboration with billionaire Elon Musk, who co-chaired the department, drew both praise and criticism — with supporters calling him a visionary reformer and opponents labeling him a technocrat aligned too closely with corporate interests.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Indian immigrant parents, Ramaswamy built his fortune as the founder of Roivant Sciences, a pharmaceutical company, before turning to politics. Known for his sharp intellect — he graduated from Harvard and Yale Law School — and unapologetically conservative views, he has championed causes such as parental rights, deregulation, and merit-based immigration.
His campaign for governor has centered on a platform of economic nationalism, law-and-order governance, and fiscal discipline. He has pledged to cut Ohio’s income tax, expand school choice, and build closer ties between state industries and domestic manufacturing. “We will make Ohio the beating heart of American revival,” he said during his campaign launch earlier this year.
Trump’s endorsement also followed weeks of internal lobbying within the Ohio Republican Party. Party insiders say that the final decision to rally around Ramaswamy came after a personal appeal from Donald Trump Jr., who reportedly urged state committee members on X to “stand with the future of the movement.” Ramaswamy ultimately secured the party’s endorsement in May, effectively clearing his path to the general election.
Political observers note that Trump’s decision to endorse Ramaswamy so early is strategic. The move ensures that Trump retains strong influence over the GOP’s next generation of leaders, especially as his allies expand control across state governments. Ohio — a crucial swing state that has turned reliably Republican in recent cycles — remains key to that strategy.
If elected, Ramaswamy would become Ohio’s first Indian-American governor and one of the youngest in the state’s history. His candidacy also underscores the growing political prominence of Indian-Americans in US politics, joining figures such as Kamala Harris, Nikki Haley, and Ro Khanna who have made significant inroads across party lines.
For now, Ramaswamy’s campaign is expected to lean heavily on Trump’s endorsement as both validation and momentum. In his brief response on X, Ramaswamy wrote, “Honored to have President Trump’s trust. Together, we’ll make Ohio the engine of America’s revival.”
With Trump’s backing, Ramaswamy not only cements his position as the frontrunner in the Ohio race but also strengthens his long-term prospects as one of the most influential voices in the future of Republican politics.
