Ramaswamy aide leaving for Trump campaign

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s national political director, Brian Swenson, is departing the campaign to work on former President Trump’s team, Ramaswamy senior advisor Tricia McLaughlin confirmed to The Hill. 

“He was primarily based in New Hampshire, and about a month and a half ago Mike Biundo came on as a national senior adviser and has largely been absorbing Brian’s role, so this is not — does not come as a surprise to anyone,” McLaughlin said of the news, which was first reported by The Messenger.

“I think that this is a positive move for everybody,” she said, adding that “we love Brian.” 

The development comes as Ramaswamy has been trailing Trump and several other 2024 Republican contenders, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, in early state polls.  

The 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur launched his campaign in February as a little-known candidate, later emerging in the summer as a breakout star. But Ramaswamy struggled to keep up that momentum, including during the presidential debates as he became tangled in back-and-forths with Haley and former Vice President Pence.  

The Republican presidential candidates targeted Ramaswamy during those debates over his lack of political experience and on several controversial foreign policy stances pertaining to U.S. involvement in Taiwan and Israel.  

The Hill has reached out to Trump’s campaign for comment.