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Vivek Ramaswamy declared his candidacy for the governorship of Ohio on Monday evening, setting the stage for the 2026 election. This announcement follows a bustling series of events that saw the former GOP presidential hopeful step away from Donald Trump’s government efficiency initiative and miss out on the US Senate seat formerly held by Vice President JD Vance.

“I am proud to announce my campaign to be the next governor of the great state at the core of our nation—the place where I was born and raised, and where Apoorva and I are raising our two sons,” said Ramaswamy at a rally in Cincinnati. “The best days for Ohio are yet to come.”

Ramaswamy’s entry into the race follows Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s announcement last month of his intentions to vie for the governorship, succeeding term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. The race is expected to attract additional GOP candidates, while former Ohio health director Amy Acton is pursuing the Democratic nomination. Trump secured Ohio by an 11-point margin in the previous election.

Late Monday night, Trump endorsed Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial campaign on Truth Social, praising his former primary rival as “something SPECIAL.”

“Vivek is a genuinely good person who loves our country. He will be an EXCELLENT Governor of Ohio, and he has my FULL and COMPLETE endorsement!” Trump said.

Ramaswamy was appointed by Trump in November to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency, collaborating with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. The duo had discussed plans for significant reductions in government spending and regulatory measures.

As Trump’s inauguration approached, Ramaswamy’s role within DOGE became less certain. He drew criticism for social media comments in December that questioned American cultural values and found himself at odds with fellow Trump supporters over issues regarding visas for skilled foreign workers.

The Cincinnati native’s involvement with DOGE became even more complicated as Gov. DeWine contemplated whom to appoint to the US Senate seat pending Vance’s transition to vice president.

Ramaswamy’s name surfaced during discussions about the Senate appointment, despite his previous decision to withdraw from consideration in November, stating he wanted to concentrate on DOGE. Sources revealed that Trump privately nudged Ramaswamy to think about the Senate role, and he met with DeWine shortly before the governor made his final choice.

Ultimately, DeWine chose Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, a long-anticipated successor, sidestepping a potential primary competition between Husted and Ramaswamy for the gubernatorial race.

After the Senate decision, sources indicated that Ramaswamy intended to focus on DOGE before entering the gubernatorial race. However, the timeline for his campaign announcement sped up, prompting the Trump administration to clarify that Ramaswamy would no longer participate in DOGE.

“Vivek Ramaswamy contributed significantly to the establishment of DOGE. His pursuit of elected office requires him to step back from DOGE, according to our recent guidelines. We are incredibly grateful for his help over the past two months and expect him to play a key role in revitalizing our nation,” said Trump transition spokesperson Anna Kelly.

In the weeks following, Ramaswamy traveled throughout Ohio and across the nation, energizing support for his upcoming campaign launch, gathering endorsements from potential backers, and engaging in online debates while promoting Trump’s agenda.

He attended a Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game in early February, greeting fans, and later enjoyed a comedy show in Columbus. Additionally, he was present for the Super Bowl in New Orleans and the Daytona 500 in West Palm Beach, Florida, both events where Trump was also in attendance.

As anticipation builds for his formal campaign announcement, Ramaswamy’s list of endorsements has expanded. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose publicly backed Ramaswamy earlier this month, asserting on social media, “If he decides to run for governor, he will have my complete support.” State Treasurer Robert Sprague and several GOP senators, including Utah’s Mike Lee, Florida’s Rick Scott, and Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn, have also expressed their endorsement.

Nonetheless, despite Husted’s shift to the Senate and a host of prominent endorsements, Ramaswamy will face challenges in the GOP primary, notably from Yost’s competing campaign.

Recently, former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel, appointed by DeWine to assume Husted’s role as lieutenant governor, indicated he is considering entering the race for governor.

Tressel’s potential candidacy could create an intriguing rivalry, contrasting Ramaswamy’s national profile as a fresh face in conservative politics with Tressel’s established reputation as a trusted state figure recently designated by the outgoing governor.

Ramaswamy is relatively new to politics, having notably elevated his visibility during a long-shot presidential bid in 2024 — his first experience running for office, although he had previously considered a Senate run in Ohio for 2022.

He kicked off his presidential campaign in February 2023, emerging as a relatively obscure figure from the biotech sector. His books, “Woke, Inc.” and “Nation of Victims,” helped him gain popularity within right-leaning media circles. Leveraging his substantial personal fortune, estimated in the hundreds of millions, Ramaswamy was able to fund his campaign and gain national attention.

Despite his competition with Trump, Ramaswamy was careful not to criticize the former president throughout the campaign. Instead, he embraced Trump’s platform, enhanced his profile through a series of combative media appearances, anti-establishment messaging, and contentious policy positions.

Ramaswamy gained considerable attention during GOP presidential debates (which Trump chose not to attend) by fiercely challenging his Republican colleagues and drawing sharp criticisms from his rivals—most notably former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who labeled him “just scum” in a heated exchange. Their clashes have ignited a persistent rivalry that continues into the new administration, highlighted by Haley’s recent response to Ramaswamy’s commentary on American culture and skilled immigration.

Despite making headlines, Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January 2024 as Trump’s lead in the primary became insurmountable and promptly endorsed the former president. Subsequently, he became a fervent surrogate for Trump’s campaign, advocating for the Republican agenda and contributing to his DOGE appointment.

Raised in Cincinnati, Ramaswamy is a son of Indian immigrants and identifies as Hindu. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in biology and later earned a law degree from Yale University.

In 2014, he established Roivant Sciences, a company that significantly contributed to his wealth. Roivant specializes in repurposing drugs that major pharmaceutical firms have shelved due to business model conflicts. The firm acquires rights to develop these medications and shares the profits with the original developers. The “roi” in Roivant stands for return on investment.

Following his tenure at Roivant, Ramaswamy co-founded Strive Asset Management, an investment management firm celebrated for its refusal to embrace “woke” ideologies in its investment policies, including considerations for environmental, social, and governance factors, which he often highlights as part of his campaign message.

This report has been updated to reflect new developments.

CNN’s Piper Hudspeth Blackburn contributed to this report.