Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, is reportedly stepping down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to prepare for a gubernatorial run in Ohio.
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
Background on DOGE:
Established by President Donald Trump through an executive order on January 20, 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aims to modernize federal systems and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies. Initially, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy were appointed to lead this initiative.
Ramaswamy’s Political Aspirations:
Reports indicate that Ramaswamy plans to announce his candidacy for Ohio governor in the coming week. This decision follows a meeting with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine regarding the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance. Governor DeWine appointed Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to the position, potentially clearing the path for Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial bid.
Implications for DOGE:
Ramaswamy’s departure from DOGE leaves Elon Musk as the primary leader of the department. Musk has expressed ambitious goals for DOGE, including cutting up to $2 trillion from the federal budget by July 4, 2026.
Ohio’s Political Landscape:
With Governor DeWine term-limited and set to leave office in 2027, the 2026 gubernatorial race is expected to be highly competitive. Ramaswamy’s entry into the race adds a notable figure to the Republican field, given his recent national profile from the 2024 presidential primaries.
As Ramaswamy transitions from his role at DOGE to focus on Ohio’s gubernatorial race, the political dynamics within both the state and the federal efficiency initiative are poised for significant developments.