Jan 29, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Backers of Vivek Ramaswamy see big lead

Mike Allen

Vivek Ramaswamy speaks before Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage at the campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024 in New York City. — Vivek Ramaswamy at an October Trump rally in New York City. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Vivek Ramaswamy, who is expected to announce for Ohio governor in mid-February, is over 50% among Republican primary voters and leads his nearest competitor by 34 points, according to a poll by a pro-Ramaswamy outside group.

Why it matters: After leaving as co-leader of President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, the biotech entrepreneur and 2024 presidential primary candidate is plunging into the politics of his native state.

Behind the scenes: Ramaswamy, 39, has brought on key members of the political operation of Vice President JD Vance, formerly a U.S. senator from Ohio, to run his campaign and super PAC — Tony Fabrizio (Trump's pollster), Andy Surabian and Jai Chabria.

"Not only does this signal that Vance is on board behind the scenes with Vivek's run, but Vivek is already winning endorsements from influential pro-Trump senators Rick Scott [R-Fla.] before even announcing," a source familiar with the operation told Axios.

What they're saying: The poll by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates "makes it clear that Vivek is the unquestioned favorite to not only win this primary, but to dominate it," the source added.

"Since news about his run began leaking, there's been an avalanche of interest from donors wanting to raise money for his run, and big-name political figures offering to endorse."

Read the memo, via DocumentCloud:

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Scoop: Backers of Vivek Ramaswamy see big lead

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