US Vice-President JD Vance has endorsed Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy for governor of Ohio, predicting that his fellow Republican would become the state’s next chief executive.
The endorsement came during a speech focused largely on manufacturing, trade and immigration policy. The vice-president used his family’s connection with the plant to frame the administration’s manufacturing agenda. His grandfather worked there as a welder for nearly four decades when the facility operated as Armco Steel.
Vance appeared alongside political candidates and steelworkers as Cleveland-Cliffs announced a $1 billion investment in its Middletown operations.
The vice-president also drew laughter by recounting an internet meme involving Ramaswamy and Vance’s six-year-old son, who is also named Vivek.
“We’ve also got, I believe, a great gubernatorial candidate, a great governor of Ohio, but also a great next governor of Ohio, my friend, Vivek Ramaswamy,” Vance said as he invited Ramaswamy to stand and acknowledge the audience. “But Vivek’s going to make a great governor for the state of Ohio,” he added.
