Ohio GOP Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Announces Governor Bid

Ohio’s Gubernatorial Race Heats Up

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is in his final year of office, and the race to succeed him has already become intense. Recent polls indicate a tight contest between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton. Both candidates have engaged with the public, sharing their visions for the state’s future.

A Conversation with Candidates

WLWT’s Mike Dardis recently interviewed both candidates, offering insights into their campaigns and what they believe makes them the best choice for governor. Ramaswamy’s interview was featured in the video player at the top of the story, while Acton’s will be released later this week.

Ramaswamy, who grew up in Evendale, attended Princeton Schools until 8th grade and St. Xavier High School. He has since risen to national prominence after running for president. His journey reflects the American dream, which he now aims to help others achieve.

“I have been blessed to live the American dream at the highest level, that my family would have never imagined,” Ramaswamy said. “But the reason I'm running for governor is I'm grateful for the opportunities the state gave me, and I want to make sure that our kids, who are now growing up in Columbus, are able to access that same American dream, that every kid who grows up in the state is able to achieve even bigger things than I did.”

Navigating Political Differences

DeWine, like Ramaswamy, is a Republican, but he has often diverged from President Trump on key issues. Ramaswamy addressed whether he would feel comfortable opposing the president on significant matters.

“Well, look, no two people are ever going to agree on everything. Anyone who's married could tell you that,” Ramaswamy said. “I am grateful for my marriage with my wife, and we don't agree on everything all the time. So, one of the beautiful things is, did Gov. DeWine and President Trump agree on 100% of things? No, and that shows that even the disagreements between Republicans and Democrats aren't irresolvable either. No two people are going to agree on 100% of issues. But the beauty of this country, and I think Ohio embodies this better than most states, is that we can disagree vehemently at times and still get together at the dinner table at the end of it.”

Ramaswamy emphasized the need for a less confrontational style of politics as he runs for governor in 2026.

“It's no longer about owning the libs. It's about owning responsibility for saving the country. It's not about what we're running from. The question is, what are we running to? Not what we're against, but what we actually stand for, and that doesn't mean compromising on our principles, but it means pursuing a positive vision for where we're all headed together.”

Immigration and Education Reforms

Immigration remains a top issue for many Americans. While President Trump has focused on deporting illegal immigrants with criminal records, many individuals with clean backgrounds have also been affected. Ramaswamy shared his perspective on this matter.

“One of the great things that President Trump has done is to seal that southern border,” Ramaswamy said. “At the same time, I remember what Ronald Reagan famously said in 1980. He said, you could go to Italy, but you would never be an Italian. You could go to Germany, and you'd never be a German. You could spend the rest of your life in China or Japan, and you would never be Chinese or Japanese. But you can come from any one of those countries to the United States of America and you can still be an American, so long as you pledge allegiance to the ideals of this country, you work hard, you do it the right way, wait your turn and become a citizen. You are every bit as much of an American as somebody who was descended from the Mayflower.”

Ramaswamy has also been vocal about education reform in Ohio, particularly regarding reading and math standards.

“Let's start with bringing basic standards back to our public schools, and this is serious stuff,” Ramaswamy said. “Some people find this controversial, but I think it's the truth. I stand for the third grade reading guarantee that says if you're medically capable, by the end of third grade, you've got to be able to read. And if you can't read by the end of third grade, you're not going to fourth grade until you can. If you're medically capable of doing it. That's not compassion to pass a kid along like a widget on an assembly line. That's actually a form of cruelty. It's that point in a child's life where they make that special transition from learning to read, to reading to learn, and if you make that transition, you're going to be successful in life. But if you don't make that transition, your chances of achieving success in life falls like a rock off the cliff.”

Personal Preferences and Community Engagement

When it comes to Cincinnati chili and sports, Ramaswamy prefers Gold Star over Skyline and supports the Bengals. He has also made a commitment to engaging with all 88 counties in Ohio since announcing his gubernatorial campaign earlier this year.

Additional News Highlights

For more updates, check out the latest stories from WLWT. Special edition Stanley tumblers are selling out, but some are still available. For more details, read the full story on Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s run for governor. Stay informed with the latest Cincinnati news, weather, and sports from the team at Ohio’s own WLWT.