Indian American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, the GOP nominee for Ohio governor, is pressing his candidacy on an aggressive policy platform — pledging to resume executions, ease handgun purchase restrictions for those under 21, and deliver a $4 billion property-tax cut — even as polls show him trailing Democratic rival Amy Acton and a self-funded war chest of over $36 million has yet to close the gap.

Policy Positions at the Columbus Forum

Speaking at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum on Wednesday, Ramaswamy staked out positions that diverge sharply from outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine's record. He backed reinstating the death penalty, signalling openness to execution methods beyond lethal injection — a direct break from DeWine's de facto pause on executions. On fiscal policy, he promoted a $4 billion property-tax cut while acknowledging the state would not fully offset the resulting revenue shortfall for public schools.

Ramaswamy also called for limiting new data centres to abandoned industrial sites and proposed consolidating Ohio's 14 public universities. He framed the contest as one that should move beyond partisan bickering, saying the race should be 'not Democrat versus Republican bickering.'

The Debate Standoff

No debates are scheduled in the race. Acton declined debate invitations in early September, citing personal attacks — including AI-generated advertisements that reportedly portrayed her as an alcoholic. Ramaswamy had accepted debate invitations from both WLWT and CNN. He also claimed that Acton's team had blocked a handshake between the two candidates; the claim is his own account and could not be independently verified.

Notably, the no-debate dynamic hands Ramaswamy a recurring line of attack but also reflects an Acton campaign strategy that appears confident in her polling lead.

Where the Polls Stand

Three surveys conducted in late September and early October offer a mixed but broadly unfavourable picture for Ramaswamy. A CNN/SSRS poll conducted 29 September–5 October put Acton ahead 50–42. A New York Times/Siena poll from 22 September–1 October showed her leading 49–45. A co/efficient poll from 5–6 October was the outlier, placing Ramaswamy ahead 45–43. The average across surveys leans toward Acton, though the race is not considered closed.

Money, Backers, and Baggage

Ramaswamy has poured more than $36 million of personal funds into the campaign, including a fresh $5 million infusion reported earlier this month. A super PAC supporting him is funded largely by a handful of billionaires, according to reports. Despite the financial firepower, he has faced a backlash over his data-centre proposals and walked back an earlier 'Ohioans-First' pledge of free electricity.

President Donald Trump has held a rally near Dayton in support of Ramaswamy, while Vice President J.D. Vance, campaigning in Lima, described Acton as a 'crazy person.' Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and the son of Indian immigrants, ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 before pivoting to the Ohio governor's race.

What Comes Next

With no debates on the calendar and polls showing a modest but persistent Acton advantage in most surveys, Ramaswamy's path to closing the deficit likely runs through high-turnout Republican counties and continued high-profile surrogate support. How Ohio voters respond to his unconventional platform — spanning capital punishment, gun access, and university consolidation — will be a key test of whether insurgent Republican politics can prevail in a competitive swing state.