Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Jan 20: Vivek Ramaswamy, the former presidential candidate and co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is reportedly planning to run for governor of Ohio, according to sources close to him.

USA Today revealed on Sunday that Ramaswamy is expected to announce his candidacy "shortly." If successful, Ramaswamy, 39, would become the third Indian-American to serve as governor in the US, joining Republicans Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Nikki Haley of South Carolina.

Ramaswamy, an outspoken anti-left advocate, initially ran for the Republican presidential nomination but withdrew to become a vocal supporter of Donald Trump. Trump later appointed him as co-head of DOGE, a body designed to improve government efficiency, alongside Elon Musk. While his position at DOGE remained uncertain, Ramaswamy's potential gubernatorial bid seems to offer a clearer political path.

Ohio's current republican governor Mike DeWine recently appointed lieutenant governor Jon Husted to fill the US Senate seat vacated by vice president-elect JD Vance, paving the way for Ramaswamy's gubernatorial run.

The state, which has a strong Republican presence, presents an advantageous platform for Ramaswamy, who boasts a personal fortune estimated at $960 million. His wealth allows him to self-finance his campaign, giving him a financial edge over his potential rivals.

Ramaswamy, who first made his fortune in biotech and now runs a hedge fund, had expressed interest in both a Senate and gubernatorial run earlier this year, citing significant public encouragement to pursue the Ohio governorship.