Ramaswamy Speaks on American Dream Before OSU Crowd

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Speaking before an electrified crowd at Ohio State University on Tuesday, Vivek Ramaswamy discussed his experience with the American Dream while promoting his campaign for governor.

“I wasn’t born a billionaire, I wasn’t born a millionaire, I wasn’t born an anything heir. I was an heir to nothing. But here I am now,” the American entrepreneur and Ohio gubernatorial candidate told the audience.

“And with your help, God willing, [I am] in a position to lead the very state where I was born and raised. That story is only possible in the United States of America.”

Ramaswamy was born and raised in Cincinnati, but his parents emigrated from southwest India. They came to America “with nothing to their name,” the candidate said, adding that their decision gave him the opportunity to become a successful businessman. He also is the youngest person to have run for president as a Republican, which he did in 2024 at the age of 37.

Ramaswamy later touched upon his agenda for Ohio. His said his priorities, should he be elected governor, include boosting jobs, lowering or ending capital gains and income taxes, and producing more energy in the state to help lower the cost of electricity.

On social issues, Ramaswamy attacked “wokeness” and spoke about improving schools.

“By the end of next year, this much I know: Our schools will be performing better because we will replace woke indoctrination with actual academic standards in math, reading, writing, and civics. You got to know something about your country to pledge allegiance to your country and be proud of your country,” Ramaswamy said to applause.

In a line that was reminiscent of Charlie Kirk, and the polite way the Turning Point USA founder engaged those on the political Left, Ramaswamy said he would bring that same agreeableness to Ohio politics.

“By the end of next year in this state, people of differing political beliefs will actually be able to be friends with each other and get together at the dinner table, like the Ohio I grew up in,” he said.

During the Q&A session, one audience member asked how Ramaswamy would ensure that the state’s “public services wouldn’t fail or really underperform” in light of his many proposed tax cuts. He replied that his policies will create an economic boom in Ohio, making up for any revenue shortfall related to lower taxes.

“I think if you have someone at the top who’s focused on cutting red tape and speeding permitting timelines, and if you combine all of that with actually taking the income and capital gains tax rate to zero, cutting property taxes, de-layering government, and then you market the state to the country, I think we’re going to have a boom that this state has not seen since the first Industrial Revolution,” he said.

Attendees were urged to vote for Ramaswamy in the upcoming May 5 Republican primary. If he wins, he will face Democrat Amy Acton in the general election.

Ramaswamy referred to the former Ohio Department of Health director as “Amy Lockdown Acton,” drawing boos as he criticized her COVID response, including unpopular school closures.

In a head-to-head race between Ramaswamy and Acton, recent polling predicts a close result. A Bowling Green State University/YouGov poll conducted April 7-14 has Ramaswamy leading Acton with 48% of the vote to her 47%.

He closed the night with a return to the importance of making America a land of opportunity for everyone.

“I am grateful to this country for giving me those opportunities. That is the American dream. That is what makes us the greatest nation known to the history of mankind,” he said.

“I know that, together, we can lead Ohio to be the top state in the country. To raise a young family, to live the American dream, and to give your kids a world-class education, that is your birthright as an Ohioan.”

He concluded: “Ohio’s best days, and through Ohio, America’s best days, are actually going to be ahead of us.”

The candidate appeared Wednesday at family-owned Tee Jaye’s Country Place restaurant, where he continued campaigning and encouraged young people to “shape the future” and not to see themselves “as victims.”