Trump's Early Backing Of Ramaswamy For Ohio Governor Seen By Some As Meant To Avoid A Nasty Primary

The sun hadn't set on Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's gubernatorial campaign launch in Ohio earlier this week before President Donald Trump posted his endorsement of the Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur and former Department of Government Efficiency co-chair .

Trump lauded the multimillionaire on his Truth Social site as 'something SPECIAL," calling him "Young, Strong, and Smart!"

"Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country," the president wrote. "He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!"

The timing of Trump's announcement intrigued Ohio political observers, who have watched over the past several years as his decisions to weigh in on key statewide races have gone from days before the election, to months, to now more than a year.

Robert Clegg, a long-time Republican campaign adviser in the state, said it may be meant as a message for Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, already seeking the Republican nomination , or perhaps even for newly named Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel , a popular former Ohio State Buckeyes football coach whose future political plans are unclear.