US Vice President JD Vance on 10 October 2026 formally endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy, the Indian-American biotechnology entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, in the race for Ohio governor, billing him as a job-creator and economic reformer ahead of the 3 November midterm elections. Speaking at a Republican rally in Lima, Ohio, Vance framed Ramaswamy's business background as a decisive advantage over career politicians.

What Vance Said at the Lima Rally

Vance drew a pointed contrast between Ramaswamy and conventional officeholders, telling supporters: 'Vivek is an entrepreneur. He's a guy who hasn't just received a paycheck — he signed a paycheck to.' He argued that this experience translates directly into an ability to attract investment and revive manufacturing in a state long associated with industrial decline.

'What Vivek is gonna do is he's gonna attract jobs and he's gonna unleash the incredible potential of this state,' Vance told the crowd. He added that Ramaswamy would focus on cutting energy costs and creating conditions for business expansion — twin priorities that Republicans have placed at the centre of their midterm pitch.

Vance also spotlighted Ramaswamy's proposal to deliver what he described as 'historic property tax relief for every single citizen who owns a house in this state' — a pledge the Vice President presented as a concrete contrast to Democratic governance.

The Attack on Democrat Amy Acton

Ramaswamy faces Democrat Amy Acton in the gubernatorial contest. Vance launched a sharp broadside at Acton over her role in Ohio's COVID-19 pandemic response, accusing her of backing restrictions that disrupted schools, religious gatherings and family life. He broadened the criticism into a wider attack on Democratic policies, which he accused of raising costs and weakening American manufacturing — a recurring theme in Republican messaging this cycle.

Vance Also Stumps for Senate Candidate Jon Husted

The Lima event doubled as a rally for Republican Senator Jon Husted, who is seeking election to the Senate seat Vance himself previously held. Vance credited Husted with supporting the Trump administration's tax and economic agenda, including measures on overtime income, tips, and Social Security benefits. He also attacked former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, who is challenging Husted, accusing him of pursuing policies that harmed American workers and encouraged illegal immigration.

Manufacturing Claims and Tariff Defence

Vance claimed the administration had created 72,000 manufacturing jobs in 2026 alone — a figure he cited as evidence of an ongoing economic revival in Ohio and beyond. The employment figure was presented as an administration claim and was not independently verified during the speech.

He also mounted a robust defence of President Donald Trump's tariff policies, arguing that companies investing in domestic production should receive tax incentives while those moving jobs overseas should face financial penalties. 'But if you're sending American jobs overseas... you know what you're gonna get? A big fat tariff,' he said, to applause. The remarks underscored the administration's broader emphasis on economic nationalism and immigration restrictions as Republicans seek to retain political control in Washington.

What Comes Next

With polling day on 3 November, both parties are intensifying ground operations across Ohio, a state that has emerged as a bellwether for the Trump administration's economic narrative. Vance's high-profile appearance signals that Republicans view the governor's race as a flagship contest — one where an Ramaswamy victory would be read nationally as a validation of the administration's economic record. How voters respond to the property-tax and manufacturing messaging will likely shape the final weeks of the campaign.