Indian-American Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy pledged on Monday, 13 October to pursue a sweeping conservative agenda in Ohio, including stricter immigration enforcement, lower property taxes, and education reform — with President Donald Trump campaigning alongside him at a rally in Youngstown, ahead of the 3 November gubernatorial election.

Ramaswamy's Core Pledges

Addressing Republican supporters in Youngstown, Ramaswamy declared: 'I will be the most conservative governor this state has ever seen in our history because we deserve it.' The former biotechnology entrepreneur, who ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, cast his campaign as a mission to revive Ohio's historic strengths in manufacturing, innovation, and economic opportunity.

He invoked the state's legacy of trailblazers — including astronauts Neil Armstrong and John Glenn, and aviation pioneers the Wright brothers — arguing that Ohio could once again become a national leader under conservative governance. He also promised to reduce electricity bills, improve workforce development, and retain young workers who have been leaving the state for other opportunities.

Immigration and Law Enforcement at the Centre

Ramaswamy placed immigration enforcement prominently at the heart of his remarks. Drawing a sharp distinction between legal and unlawful entry, he said — speaking as the son of Indian immigrants — 'Your first act of entering this country cannot break the law.' He pledged to end sanctuary-city policies across Ohio if elected.

On law enforcement, he promised: 'We will back the blue, we will lock up the criminals, we will prosecute the fraudsters, and we will fight for you and protect the law-abiding citizens of this state.' He also reiterated his opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, transgender women competing in women's sports, and what he described as excessive climate-related restrictions on fossil fuels.

Trump's Endorsement and Praise

President Trump, who addressed the Youngstown rally after Ramaswamy and other Republican leaders, endorsed the candidate's bid and praised his business acumen. 'He's a very smart guy and he's a very good guy. And he loves — he loves this state,' Trump said. The President also highlighted Ramaswamy's tax-cut plans and urged supporters to back Republicans across gubernatorial and congressional contests.

Ramaswamy later returned to the stage to thank Trump, framing a potential partnership with the White House as central to his pitch. 'I will be a governor who proudly works with the President of the United States of America to bring more dollars into Ohio, to bring higher paying jobs to Ohio, to put more money in your pockets,' he said.

The November 3 Race

The 3 November election pits Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee, against Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee and former state health director. Ohio voters will simultaneously choose candidates for Congress and other statewide offices, making the race a significant bellwether for the direction of one of the US's key battleground states. Ramaswamy, speaking as a father of three young children, said the United States remained the country where he most wanted to raise his family — a personal note designed to reinforce his campaign's themes of individual liberty and parental authority.