In a surprising turn of events in the US presidential race, Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has emerged as a strong contender in the Republican field.

In a recent Emerson College survey, Ramaswamy is now tied with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for second place, each polling at 10 percent, while former President Donald Trump leads with 56 percent. This shift in the race reflects a remarkable rise for Ramaswamy, who had only garnered 2 percent support previously.

Nearly half of Ramaswamy’s supporters declared they would definitely vote for him, whereas only a third of DeSantis’s supporters expressed the same level of certainty. In contrast, over 80 percent of Trump’s supporters were unwavering in their commitment.

His recent statement further highlights Ramaswamy’s determination that he would decline an offer to become someone else’s vice president if he fails to secure the Republican Party nomination in 2024. Instead, he intends to drive change through the private sector.

Moreover, Ramaswamy received an unexpected endorsement from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who called him a “very promising candidate.” Ramaswamy’s background as the CEO of Roivant Sciences and his strong stance on issues such as decoupling from China and fostering trade relationships with countries like India, Japan, and South Korea have gained him attention and support.

With Trump still enjoying significant popularity among Republicans, the race remains dynamic. Still, Ramaswamy’s unexpected surge has added a compelling twist to the unfolding political drama, potentially reshaping the landscape of the 2024 presidential election.