Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said he’ll “have an announcement soon” on his future after parting ways with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency he helped create.
The former Republican presidential candidate teased a run for Ohio governor during an interview with Fox News’ Jesse Watters on Monday when questioned why he left the newly formed “DOGE” now solely led by tech billionaire Elon Musk.
“Well, the reality is I’m pursuing elected office very shortly,” Ramaswamy, 39, said. “We’ll have an announcement soon.”
After touting President Trump’s first week in the White House, the Ohio native said he felt he could help the most “through elected office.”
“When you’re talking about a constitutional revival, it’s not just done through the federal government, it’s done through federalism where states also lead the way so I’ll be saying more on that very shortly,” Ramaswamy told Watters.
“I think the Ohio River Valley can be at the bleeding edge of the American economy for the next 20 years,” he later added, suggesting it could be the new Silicon Valley where the country’s tech entrepreneurs flock to.
Ramaswamy has previously hinted at a gubernatorial run in his home state, as has the Trump-Vance transition team.
“It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE,” he wrote on X following the news of his departure. “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!” he added.
A spokesperson for the transition team also cited Ramaswamy’s interest in running for Ohio governor as the reason he left DOGE, which is tasked with trimming the size and spending of the federal government.
“He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today,” spokesperson Anna Kelly said. “We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.”
And when a Ramaswamy parody account on X fooled several users into thinking he was launching a gubernatorial campaign in Ohio, the real Ramaswamy responded: “Not a bad idea, though.”
