Vivek Ramaswamy steps down from DOGE to run for Ohio governor: Report

Jan 20

Karah Rucker Anchor

By Karah Rucker (Anchor), Kalé Carey (Reporter), Bast Bramhall (Video Editor)

Vivek Ramaswamy is stepping down from his role in President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reportedly launch a campaign for governor of Ohio. The biotech entrepreneur turned politician said he would make an announcement “very soon” about his plans for the Buckeye State.

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A DOGE spokesperson confirmed the news shortly after Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, thanking Ramaswamy for his contributions over the past two months.

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“Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,” Trump-Vance transition team spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement to Spectrum News. “He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again!”

“Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE. He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and…
— Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) January 20, 2025

Meanwhile, after news of his departure became public, Ramaswamy said on X, “It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government.”

Ramaswamy added, “I’ll have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, we’re all-in to help President Trump make America great again!”

It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. I’ll have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, we’re all-in to help President Trump make America great again! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/f1YFZm8X13
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 20, 2025

Ramaswamy’s focus for DOGE had been on deregulation efforts, aiming to slash government spending by over $1 trillion. His exit leaves tech mogul Elon Musk in charge, following Trump’s decision to select both men as advisory board leaders.

A source close to Ramaswamy told NBC News that running for the governor’s office in Ohio and staying on the commission wasn’t feasible. The source also emphasized that Ramaswamy is leaving on good terms with Trump and Musk.

Earlier this month, Ramaswamy expressed interest in the Ohio Senate seat formerly held by Vice President JD Vance. Ramaswamy spoke with Gov. Mike DeWine about the opportunity, but ultimately, the lieutenant governor was chosen to fill the vacancy. DeWine is term-limited as governor and cannot seek re-election in 2026.

Ramaswamy will now join two other Republicans in the race for governor. They include Ohio Attorney General David Yost and Heather Hill, former president of a local school board. Former director of the State Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, is currently the only Democratic candidate running.

The 39-year-old Ramaswamy briefly campaigned for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination before dropping out and endorsing Trump.

Ohio has become a Republican-leaning state in recent years, with the GOP consistently winning key elections over the past decade.

Tags: DOGE, Donald Trump, JD Vance, Mike DeWine, Ohio, Ohio State, Trump Organization, Vivek Ramaswamy

[Karah Rucker]

SOURCES CONFIRM VIVEK RAMASWAMY IS STEPPING DOWN FROM TRUMP’S “DOGE” GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMISSION TO LAUNCH HIS OWN CAMPAIGN FOR OFFICE.

THE BIOTECH ENTREPRENEUR TURNED POLITICIAN IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR OF OHIO WITH PLANS TO ANNOUNCE HIS BID LATER THIS MONTH.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE COMMISSION CONFIRMED THE MOVE SHORTLY AFTER TRUMP’S INAUGURATION ON MONDAY.

SHE SAYS, “We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.”

RAMASWAMY’S MAIN FOCUS ON THE COMMISSION WAS DRIVING DEREGULATION EFFORTS TO CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING BY OVER A TRILLION DOLLARS.

HIS EXIT LEAVES ELON MUSK IN CHARGE OF THE ADVISORY BOARD, AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP SELECTED BOTH MEN AS LEADERS.

A SOURCE CLOSE TO RAMASWAMY TOLD NBC NEWS THAT A RACE IN HIS HOME STATE AND RUNNING DOGE WASN’T POSSIBLE–AND HE’S LEAVING ON GOOD TERMS WITH TRUMP AND MUSK.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, RAMASWAMY SET HIS SIGHTS ON THE OHIO SENATE SEAT ONCE HELD BY THE VICE PRESIDENT. HE EVEN SPOKE WITH GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY, BUT ULTIMATELY, DEWINE CHOSE HIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO FILL THE VACANCY.

DEWINE IS AT TERM AS GOVERNOR, UNABLE TO SEEK RE-ELECTION FOR 2026.

RAMASWAMY WILL JOIN TWO OTHER REPUBLICANS IN THE RACE–INCLUDING OHIO’S ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVID YOST. RIGHT NOW FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE STATE’S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IS THE ONLY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

THE 39 YEAR OLD ALSO LOOKED TO SECURE THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024–LATER DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE AND ENDORSING TRUMP.

OHIO HAS SHIFTED TO A REPUBLICAN-LEANING STATE, WITH RECENT ELECTIONS

OVER THE PAST DECADE CONSISTENTLY FAVORING THE GOP.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KARAH RUCKER