Indian-American Republican presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy participated in 42 campaign stops in the past week, surpassing any other 2024 White House candidate, reported USA Today newspaper on Saturday. The 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur was at a campaign stop in Iowa on Friday and said he stays motivated by the energy of the crowds in the state.
Speaking on the formula for anything he pursues in life, Ramaswamy told USA Today, “Here’s how you spell luck: W-O-R-K. It’s always been a formula that has worked for me in my life and be it in my academic background, be it as a student, be it in my career, as a businessman and now on this journey.”
He added that it was a lesson he learned from his parents. He is also campaigning caffeine-free, according to USA Today.
Ramaswamy will keep up his rigorous timetable next week, hitting 38 events. During one of the many events held last week in Iowa, the self-proclaimed outsider tried to convince voters why he should be the Republican nominee instead of former President Donald Trump, who leads him by more than 50 points in most national polls.
Iowa will be the first state to hear from voters next month with the Republican Party primary scheduled to be held on January 15, 2024.
Ramaswamy said he was confident that being responsive to the people and not being insulated from them is the right way to get elected. “I’d rather spend time with these caucusgoers and Pizza Ranches across the state, rather than being a cloistered mega donor retreat,” he told USA Today.
Speaking on the frequent stops, Ramaswamy said, “I think there’s no substitute for being here on the ground and present.”
Ramaswamy, a Yale Law School graduate with a net worth of about USD 630 million, is running his campaign like he’s run his businesses — with very little time off.
Anson Frericks, who co-founded the company Strive Asset Management with Ramaswamy early last year, told the newspaper that there’s no time for rest in the businessman’s schedule.
“There’s no one that I’ve ever met that gets up in the morning, works out while he’s taking phone calls,” said Frericks, who’s known Ramaswamy since high school.
Frericks added, “Then while he is showering and brushing his teeth, he is taking phone calls, reading the news.”
Ramaswamy’s numerous campaign events seemed to have worked as some voters told USA Today that they see him “working very hard” and lauded his “enthusiasm”.
He is still fourth in most national polls, behind Trump, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.