Vivek Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old former biotech executive and multimillionaire, is looking to rejuvenate his 2024 Republican presidential bid with a robust performance in the Iowa caucus on Jan. 15, the first state Republican nominating contest.
Background: Born in Ohio to immigrant parents from southern India, Ramaswamy was raised in the Hindu faith but attended a Roman Catholic high school. He holds a biology degree from Harvard University and later attended Yale Law School. Before graduating from Yale, he had already amassed millions as a hedge fund investor. In 2014, he founded Roivant Sciences, a biotech company that acquired patents for drugs in early development. Forbes estimated his wealth at $630 million in 2023, though he resigned as CEO in 2021.
Political Evolution: Ramaswamy’s political journey includes a stint as a libertarian rapper during college, performing under the name Da Vek at Harvard. Despite a patchy voting record, he voted for a libertarian in 2004 and later supported Republican and Democratic candidates. He revealed voting for then-President Donald Trump in 2020.
‘Anti-Woke’ Stance: In recent years, Ramaswamy has emerged as a staunch conservative, criticizing corporate decisions aligned with social justice and climate change in his 2021 bestseller, “Woke, Inc.” This perspective has propelled him into the spotlight among conservatives.
Presidential Campaign: Entering the presidential race in February, Ramaswamy initially faced long odds but gained attention through aggressive performances in debates, often positioning himself further to the right than Trump on certain issues. While advocating for Christian values and describing himself as an American nationalist, despite being Hindu, he has defended Trump vehemently. His policy positions include opposing affirmative action, supporting state-level abortion bans after six weeks with some exceptions, and advocating for significant reductions in federal government agencies.
FAQs:
- Who is Vivek Ramaswamy? Vivek Ramaswamy is a 38-year-old former biotech executive and multimillionaire born in Ohio to Indian immigrant parents. He founded Roivant Sciences in 2014 and entered the political arena with a Republican presidential bid in 2024.
- What is Ramaswamy’s political background? Initially a libertarian, Ramaswamy has transitioned into a prominent conservative figure. He gained attention for his critiques of corporate “wokeness” in his 2021 book, “Woke, Inc.”
- What are his key policy positions? Ramaswamy holds deeply conservative views, opposing affirmative action, supporting state-level abortion bans after six weeks, and advocating for a significant reduction in federal government agencies. He has also expressed a desire to expand the powers of the presidency.
- How has Ramaswamy performed in the 2024 Republican presidential race? Initially a longshot, Ramaswamy gained attention through aggressive debate performances, positioning himself to the right of Trump on some issues. He currently contends with other candidates, including Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, in the race.
- What is Ramaswamy’s stance on foreign policy? Ramaswamy opposes NATO membership for Ukraine and has suggested concessions to Russia, including allowing it to retain parts of Ukraine it already occupies, as a means to end the ongoing conflict.
