Ohio gubernatorial campaign launch expected early next week, sources say Ramaswamy has finished at DOGE.

Elon Musk may now have the opportunity to lead Trump's key initiative without sharing the spotlight, as Vivek Ramaswamy exits DOGE.

Ohio gubernatorial campaign launch expected early next week, sources say Ramaswamy has finished at DOGE.
Ohio gubernatorial campaign launch expected early next week, sources say Ramaswamy has finished at DOGE.

A source close to Vivek Ramaswamy, the former Republican presidential candidate, has confirmed to Planet Chronicle Digital that he is no longer associated with President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative.

According to the source, Ramaswamy, who was appointed by Trump in November to lead DOGE, is planning to launch a Republican campaign for Ohio governor early next week.

In 2026, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will be unable to run for re-election due to term limits.

On Friday, DeWine announced that Lt. Gov. Jon Husted would fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by former Sen. JD Vance, who stepped down ahead of Monday's inauguration.

Vivek Ramaswamy DOGE Ohio Senate Campaign
Vivek Ramaswamy is seen at the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.  (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

After the Senate announcement, Husted had planned to run for governor in 2026 to succeed DeWine. Ramaswamy, for his part, had expressed interest in serving in the Senate.

DeWine's decision to appoint Husted to the Senate seat may have sped up Ramaswamy's plans to run for governor.

DeWine and Husted
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announces his appointment of Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, right, to fill the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Vice President-elect JD Vance at a news conference on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Julie Carr Smyth)

In February 2023, Ramaswamy, 39, launched his presidential campaign and saw his stock rise from a long shot to a contender for the Republican nomination.

Ramaswamy advocated for an "America First 2.0" platform and was a prominent supporter of Trump among his opponents, praising him as the "most successful president of our time."

Trump smiles as Ramaswamy waves from New Hampshire stage
Vivek Ramaswamy endorses former President Trump during a campaign event in Atkinson, New Hampshire, on Jan. 16, 2024. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

A year ago, he abandoned his White House bid following a distant fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses. He subsequently endorsed Trump and became a top surrogate on the campaign trail.

The departure of Ramaswamy seems to pave the way for Musk, a significant contributor to Trump and a key ally, to control DOGE without sharing the spotlight.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading the effort to cut government inefficiency.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading the effort to cut government inefficiency. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

A few weeks after Ramswamy and Musk's support for H-1B temporary worker visas for highly skilled foreign workers sparked controversy among Trump's MAGA supporters, a move was made.

The far-right leaders pushed back against Ramaswamy's criticism of American culture, which he claimed "valued mediocrity over excellence."

Over the past decade, Ohio has moved from being a top general election battleground to a red state, with Republicans dominating statewide elections.

by Paul Steinhauser

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