Cincinnati Vivek Ramaswamy declared on Monday that America is back and it feels great as he formally started his campaign for governor of Ohio.
In addition to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Ramaswamy, a past 2024 presidential primary contender and a brief co-head of the Department of Government Efficency, is entering a Republican race. Dr. Amy Acton, the former director of the Ohio Department of Health, is a candidate on the Democratic side.
In 2026, candidates will run for all four of Ohio’s statewide executive positions.Republican candidates include former Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague for secretary of state, former Ohio Auditor Keith Faber for attorney general, and former Secretary of State Frank LaRose for auditor. Oncologist Bryan Hambley is the only other Democratic contender to declare for Ohio Secretary of State, aside from Acton.
Speaking to a crowded audience at CTL Aerospace on Monday, Ramaswamy explained his vision for Ohio and how it relates to the Trump administration’s broader efforts to improve American culture.
Regarding Trump’s reelection in November, Ramaswamy stated that it was a fork in the road. I have never been more hopeful about our nation’s future than I am now. America is currently on the verge of a new golden age.
The announcement was made at an aerospace facility in Butler County, which emphasized Ramaswamy’s support for manufacturing and business, two topics that were at the heart of his speech.
According to Ramaswamy, I will make Ohio the best state in the nation for launching and expanding a business. Ohio will be the best state in the nation to raise a young family under my leadership. I will guide Ohio to become the nation’s leading state in equipping our children with the skills they need to view themselves as winners rather than victims in a cutthroat global marketplace.
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Ramawamy has advocated for cutting red tape and regulations, even dismantling entire government agencies, since he ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.In an interview with podcaster Lex Friedman, Ramaswamy proposed arbitrarily terminating 75% of federal employees based on their Social Security numbers. Ramaswamy campaigned for the elimination of several government agencies during his presidential campaign, including the Department of Education, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the FBI. Additionally, as DOGE’s leader, Ramaswamy advocated for widespread terminations of federal workers in order to promote in-person employment.
On Monday night, Ramaswamy declared that he would pursue regulation in Ohio.
Every unnecessary regulation in this state will be destroyed. Under my administration, we will need to repeal at least ten existing regulations before enacting any new ones.
Additionally, he expressed support for Ohio’s proposed Medicaid work requirements, which the state is now requesting authorization from the Trump administration to implement. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over 90% of U.S. adults who qualify for Medicaid expansion are either employed or exempt from restrictions because they are caretakers, have disabilities, or are enrolled in school.
The absence of Medicaid work requirements was referred to by Ramaswamy as a “war on work.”
Making someone more reliant on the government is not kind. According to Ramaswamy, helping people become independent from it is the most humane thing to do.
Additionally, Ramaswamy promoted the social concerns that are now staples of conservative discourse.
Give our youth a sense of direction and significance. Many of them are hungry for that cause and eager to be a part of something greater. I’m hungry for that call to purpose. Ramaswamy remarked, “I’m hungry for the real thing.” If we have the guts to truly stand for our own vision, we can fill that emptiness and fill the black hole: individual, family, nation, and God. This is more important than color, gender, sexual orientation, and climate.
Ramaswamy rose to fame by founding Strive Asset Management, an asset management company based in Columbus that is well-known for opposing ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) investment principles. Peter Thiel, the wealthy CEO of Palantir, was one of Strive’s biggest backers. He also backed Vice President JD Vance’s candidacy for the U.C. Senate and his business career.
In response to Trump’s executive order, some Ohio institutions are in the midst of discontinuing their diversity and inclusion programs, as Ramaswamy mentioned woke brainwashing.Both students and academics have voiced their opposition to these practices, particularly through rallies on college campuses.
In closing, Ramaswamy discussed bringing the Republican Party together.
With a broad coalition that includes Reagan Democrats, Libertarians, and constitutional Republicans, Ramaswamy declared that we will win the general election the following year and take control of Ohio.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.