From failed White House dreams to DOGE exit: Vivek Ramaswamy’s flip-flops as he race for Ohio governor’s post

Vivek Ramaswamy on Monday announced his bid to contest the Ohio gubernatorial election to become its next governor. The Indian-origin entrepreneur expressed his vision to develop Ohio in all sectors and ensure that its citizens feel empowered in a competitive world.

His announcement to contest the Ohio gubernatorial election comes nearly months after his failed bids to run DOGE under Elon Musk's leadership. Ramaswamy had also backed out of the US presidential elections last year.

“I am honoured to announce my candidacy to serve as the next Governor of the state of Ohio,” read a post by Vivek Ramaswamy on X on Monday.

Vivek Ramaswamy announces Ohio governor bid

While announcing his gubernatorial bid, Vivek Ramaswamy said that Ohio used to be a crucial location of an economic powerhouse. He also vowed that he would lead the state to regain its status with the help of a “new generation of leadership”.

Hours after Ramaswamy's announcement, Donald Trump endorsed Ramaswamy in a Monday night post on his Truth Social platform. “He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down.”

As the Republican leader prepares to contest in Ohio, his failed attempts to contest US presidential elections and work with Elon Musk in DOGE are back in the limelight.

Vivek Ramaswamy's exit from DOGE

Days after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections, he tapped Ramaswamy to co-lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, along with Elon Musk.

“It was my honour 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,” Ramaswamy posted on X after he exited DOGE.

According to some reports, Ramaswamy's exit from DOGE came after he criticised Americans' work culture and supported H1B visa program. He reported remarks were perceived to be not in sync with the Republican stance.

Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out of the US presidential race in 2024

The 39-year-old businessman-turned politician was initially running for the US presidential race in 2024. Months after announcing his US presidential bid, Vivek Ramaswamy announced to back out after his disappointing performance in the Iowa caucuses.

Ramaswamy outlined the 10 core beliefs featured in his presidential campaign — led by “God is real” followed by “there are two genders” — in the 2024 book “Truths: The Future of America First.”

Vivek Ramaswamy's business career

Vivek Ramaswam has launched several ventures in the field of biotechnology and medicines. He founded a pharmaceutical company, Roivant Sciences in 2014. He had raised raised $360 million for the Roivant subsidiary Axovant Sciences by promising the introduction of a new medicine for Alzheimer's disease.

Few months later, he managed to earn millions after launching an initial public offering (IPO) of his company Axovant. Amid Alzheimer drug hype, Axovant became a Wall street darling. After launching IPO, Ramaswamy took a massive payout by selling a portion of his shares in Roivant to Viking Global Investors.

Months later, his company's Alzheimer's drug failed its large clinical trial marking an onset of decline of his company shares. Ramaswamy stepped down as Roivant CEO in 2021, and as of now remains as the sixth largest shareholder of the company.