Ramaswamy Pledges to Keep Defense Advisor Role

The gubernatorial candidate aims to protect Ohio's aerospace and defense interests if elected next year.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Military Jobs

A wide view of a spacious industrial aircraft hangar interior with concrete floors and large steel doors. — Gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy pledged Tuesday to maintain Ohio’s cabinet-level aerospace and defense advisor role if elected governor next year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Vivek Ramaswamy announced he would maintain the cabinet-level aerospace and defense advisor position if he is elected governor of Ohio. The role, established in 2019, is tasked with overseeing critical military assets across the state.

Why it matters

The advisor role is central to managing Ohio's significant military infrastructure, including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Ramaswamy views the position as essential to maintaining the state's strategic standing and ongoing defense projects.

Ohio ranks third nationally in civilian Air Force employees, while Wright-Patterson Air Force Base supports a workforce of nearly 40,000 personnel. The Air Force Materiel Command, headquartered at the base, controls approximately one-third of the Air Force budget.

The players

Vivek Ramaswamy

He is a political candidate currently campaigning for the office of governor of Ohio.

Mike DeWine

He is the current governor of Ohio who established the senior defense advisor position in 2019.

Joe Zeis Jr.

He is a retired Air Force colonel who has served as the senior advisor for aerospace and defense.

The details

Gov. Mike DeWine first created the position in 2019 to better coordinate state efforts regarding installations like the Defense Supply Center in Columbus, NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and the 178th Air National Guard Wing in Springfield. Ramaswamy also stated he intends to continue pursuing the effort to host a U.S. Space Force Academy in the Dayton region.

February 2019: The aerospace and defense advisor position was established.
2021: Col. Joe Zeis Jr. highlighted the economic impact of local military installations.
September 2026: A steering group for the Space Force Academy application was formed.
October 15, 2026: Vivek Ramaswamy confirmed his plan to retain the advisor role.

Market Landscape

The commitment to retain specialized defense staffing aligns with Ohio's long-standing competitive strategy to secure federal military investments against other states. This approach ensures the state remains a primary player in the ongoing race for defense research and training facilities.

The continuation of this advisor role is designed to stabilize Ohio's defense-related economy and protect thousands of civilian jobs linked to local military installations. For residents in defense-heavy regions, this signifies a commitment to maintaining existing federal funding and local employment levels.

The takeaway

Ramaswamy's announcement signals that he intends to prioritize existing defense infrastructure to ensure Ohio remains a hub for military operations. Voters should watch for further details on his specific plans for economic development near major air force and research installations.