Vivek Ramaswamy, former Republican presidential candidate, has formally declared his intention to run for governor of Ohio in 2026. His campaign recently filed the required Designation of Treasurer form with the Ohio Secretary of State, marking an official step towards his gubernatorial bid.

This move follows Ramaswamy's departure from President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative last month. While a Trump-Vance transition spokesperson acknowledged Ramaswamy's significant contribution to DOGE, his planned run for office necessitated his exit. Ramaswamy expressed gratitude for his time with DOGE and hinted at his Ohio-focused political aspirations.

Ramaswamy's departure from DOGE followed a public disagreement with Tesla CEO Elon Musk regarding H-1B visas, which sparked debate among Trump supporters. Despite this, Ramaswamy reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Trump's agenda.

Several prominent Republicans have endorsed Ramaswamy's gubernatorial ambitions, including Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. Both senators praised Ramaswamy's leadership qualities and expressed confidence in his potential to positively impact Ohio.

With current Governor Mike DeWine term-limited, the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race is expected to be a competitive one. Ramaswamy's official entry sets the stage for what could be a significant political contest.