JD Vance Backs Vivek Ramaswamy For Ohio Governor, Calls Him A ‘Great’ Candidate

US Vice President JD Vance has thrown his support behind fellow Republican and longtime friend Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio gubernatorial race, calling the Indian American politician an outstanding candidate who will make a “great Governor” of the state.

Speaking at a rally in Ohio on Friday, Vance praised Ramaswamy’s candidacy and urged Republican voters to back him in the November election.

“We've also got, I believe, a great gubernatorial candidate, but also a great next governor of Ohio, my friend Vivek Ramaswamy,” Vance said.

Vance added that Ramaswamy would not need much encouragement to turn out on election day, saying, “ Vivek's going to make a great governor for the state of Ohio.”

The endorsement comes after Ramaswamy, 41, faced an awkward moment at the Young Americans for Liberty conference in Cincinnati, where he was reportedly booed and heckled after remarks that upset sections of the audience.

Despite the incident, Ramaswamy remains the Republican nominee for Ohio governor after winning the party’s primary in May. His campaign has also received the backing of US President Donald Trump, giving him support from two prominent figures within the Republican Party.

Ramaswamy has previously been closely associated with Trump. He served as a co-chair of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and launched his own presidential campaign in 2024 before withdrawing from the race and endorsing Trump.

The Ohio gubernatorial contest also carries a personal significance for Ramaswamy. The son of immigrants from Kerala, he was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and went on to study at Harvard University and Yale Law School.

Before entering politics, Ramaswamy built a career in business and biotechnology. He founded biotech company Roivant Sciences and served as its chief executive from 2014 to 2021. He later became a prominent conservative political voice and gained national attention during his 2024 presidential campaign.