The national political director for presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is leaving for the Trump campaign. 

The loss of Brian Swenson is a big blow to Ramaswamy, who caught fire early in the primary campaign but has struggled since then. The shakeup is also a testament to the dominance of Donald Trump, who many expect is on a glide path to win the nomination.

Swenson was working in the early primary state of New Hampshire.

A recent poll found Trump leading there with 49%, followed by Nikki Haley at 18%. No other candidate reached double-digits, including Ramaswamy, who received 5% support.

2024 shake-up

Ramaswamy senior adviser Tricia McLaughlin downplayed the news in a statement 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.

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

His job will be taken over by Mike Biundo, a former senior adviser from Trump's historic 2016 campaign.

Swensen previously worked for Ron DeSantis' campaign for governor in 2018.

Ramaswamy hits a wall

Ramaswamy grabbed attention early in the primary campaign with his fluid delivery and vocal defense of Trump against the Deep State, but later faced scrutiny for what some described as his glib demeanor.

At the most recent debate, Haley called Ramaswamy "scum" after he made a comment about her daughter's use of social media.

Haley has risen to second place in many polls, supplanting DeSantis, even as Ramaswamy's star has dimmed somewhat.

Still, he is one of a handful of non-Trump challengers remaining, including Haley, DeSantis, and Chris Christie, who has yet to qualify for the next debate.

Trump still dominating GOP field

Trump has dominated the field, leading many to see Trump as all but certain to win the nomination. Speculation has already begun to turn to who Trump will choose as his running mate.

The latest name churning in the rumor mill is Ben Carson, Trump's former Housing and Urban Development Secretary.

Trump is planning to skip the fourth debate next week on December 6, like he has done consistently, citing his formidable lead.

The primary begins in earnest in Iowa on January 15th.