GREENVILLE — Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy promised property tax relief, lower electricity bills and expanded support for Veterans Sunday, Oct. 18, during the Darke County Republican hog roast, asking supporters to help carry his campaign through the Nov. 3 election.
Ramaswamy described his candidacy as an opportunity to bring a businessman’s approach to state government while preserving the opportunities he said allowed his family to build a life in southwestern Ohio.
In an interview accompanying his appearance, Ramaswamy said helping military veterans transition to civilian employment would be among his priorities, along with access to health care and transportation to Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
“One of the things I want to do for our veterans is enable them to rejoin the workforce after they come back from combat or active duty roles,” Ramaswamy said.
He advocated a six-month period to help returning service members readjust to civilian life, saying that approach could improve employment prospects and reduce post-traumatic stress disorder. He did not identify a specific program or research supporting that assessment during the interview.
Ohio’s workforce needs present an opportunity to better connect veterans with employers, he said.
“Our veterans are amazing, trained people who love our country, who follow the law, who have all the skills that we could wish for,” Ramaswamy said.
He said additional preparation could help veterans apply their military experience to civilian jobs.
“I think we can do a lot better job of that,” he said.
Ramaswamy also pledged to advocate for veterans’ health care, “including transportation needs where they need it to get to the nearest VA.”
His comments on veterans complemented a speech centered on economic opportunity, conservative policies and an appeal to preserve the freedoms secured by earlier generations.
Ramaswamy said he had visited Darke County about a dozen times over the past two years and expected to return after the election.
“It’s good to be back in Darke County,” he said.
He acknowledged his lack of experience in Ohio government, saying he would rely on experienced public officials while bringing an outsider’s perspective to the governor’s office.
“I’m a businessman,” Ramaswamy said. “I’m not somebody who has grown up in Ohio politics.”
He compared campaigning to a job interview, explaining that when building companies, he personally interviewed prospective employees to understand their motivations after others had evaluated their skills.
“This is a job interview,” he said. “I’m interviewing for the honor and the privilege of leading 12 million people in this state.”
He said his motivation comes from gratitude for the opportunities available to his family.
Ramaswamy recalled growing up in a middle-class household, with his father working at the General Electric plant in Evendale and attending night school. He said his mother cared for nursing home patients, including through the VA.
He recalled accompanying his father to night classes while he was in middle school, later attending St. Xavier High School and eventually founding businesses.
Now raising three children, Ramaswamy said he wants future generations to find their best opportunities in Ohio.
“I want to lead this state so we turn that American dream into an American reality once again in our home state of Ohio,” he said.
Property taxes were central to his economic message.
Ramaswamy pledged to deliver what he called the largest property tax relief package in Ohio history next year, arguing that rising bills have placed an unreasonable burden on homeowners.
“Your land is once again your land. Your home is once again your home,” he said.
He also promised substantial reductions in electricity bills, saying Ohio should increase its energy supply and challenge policies within PJM, the regional electricity grid operator.
Ramaswamy said his goal was to return bills to levels customers paid before the pandemic. He did not outline the legislative steps, costs or timetable needed to achieve those reductions during the speech.
He also pledged to pursue Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse, saying recovered money should benefit taxpayers.
Other priorities included opposing sanctuary city policies, stronger law enforcement, and prosecuting criminals and people committing fraud.
Ramaswamy said a visit with Darke County farmers reinforced his view that elected officials should match the work ethic of the people they represent.
“Farmers work sunup to sundown,” he said. “You deserve a governor who works equally hard for you.”
On education, Ramaswamy called for stronger academic expectations and renewed emphasis on civics and patriotism.
He proposed requiring public high school seniors to pass the same civics test immigrants must take to seek U.S. citizenship. He also called for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning.
“You’ve got to know something about your country to be proud of your country,” he said.
Ramaswamy repeatedly framed the election as a choice between his conservative agenda and the policies of his Democratic opponent, criticizing pandemic restrictions and promising a different direction for state government.
“I will be the most conservative governor we have ever seen in the history of Ohio,” he said.
He said Ohio should adopt successful ideas from other Republican-led states, including Florida, Texas and Tennessee, while developing policies that other states would eventually follow.
“There’s no pride of authorship,” he said.
Despite the speech’s partisan themes, Ramaswamy said he would work with people across party lines on shared goals, including tax relief, education and public safety.
“I will fight equally for the people who don’t vote for us as those who do,” he said.
He closed by urging attendees to take personal responsibility for increasing turnout.
Voting themselves would not be enough, he told supporters. He asked each person to help get 10 additional people to the polls and encouraged them to call 20 contacts in the coming days.
He said supporters could vote early or on Election Day, emphasizing participation over timing.
Connecting that appeal to the nation’s 250th anniversary, Ramaswamy recalled the risks the country’s founders took and said voters have a responsibility to preserve liberty for their children and grandchildren.
“All we have to do is to show up and actually vote for it,” he said.
Ramaswamy urged supporters to continue campaigning through the finish, promising to do his part if they did theirs.
“Ohio’s best days are actually going to be ahead of us,” he said.
