Vivek Ramaswamy’s Ohio Push: From Online Provocateur to 'Real World' Retail Politician

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor in 2026 looks markedly different from the high‑octane presidential bid he ran in 2024. Once defined by provocative tweets, hard‑right proposals and a national spotlight, Ramaswamy is now emphasizing in‑person, county‑by‑county retail campaigning, a quieter tone and a concerted retreat from social media.

Ramaswamy is talking and campaigning in a different fashion now than he did when he ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. (Daniel Lozada for NBC News)(Daniel Lozada for NBC News)

Trading Digital Theatre For Door‑Knocking

Ramaswamy, 40, has traveled to all 88 of Ohio’s counties and turned up at local events — shaking hands, tapping elbows and listening to voters up close. He told NBC News he has been running a “real world” campaign and used that phrase repeatedly to contrast the tactile, slower pace of a statewide race with the velocity of his presidential run.

Donald Trump greets Ramaswamy during a campaign rally Jan. 16, 2024, in Atkinson, N.H., after Ramaswamy withdrew from the race and publicly supported Trump. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images file)(Brandon Bell)

“There’s no substitute for actual real world interaction. The echo chambers of the internet are not sufficient — in fact, not only not sufficient, maybe outright misleading in terms of what’s actually on real voters’ minds,” he said.

Less Social Media, More Retail Politics

Ramaswamy’s staff still posts on X and Instagram, but he says he deleted those apps from his phone at the start of the year, citing distractions and racial slurs in his mentions. He told supporters and journalists that stepping back has given him more time for exercise and family; he and his wife, Dr. Apoorva Ramaswamy, a surgeon, are expecting their third child next month.

Ramaswamy has emphasized conversations in small groups and personal settings. (Daniel Lozada for NBC News)(Daniel Lozada for NBC News)

Where He Stands Financially And Politically

Backed by former President Donald Trump’s endorsement and an early war chest of roughly $20 million, Ramaswamy is widely seen as the front‑runner in the Republican primary. He has wooed some union support and drawn top advisers from allies such as Vice President J.D. Vance, while several potential statewide primary opponents have declined to run.

Ramaswamy holds up a pad of paper with a message referring to fellow candidate Nikki Haley during a Republican presidential primary debate Dec. 6, 2023. (Gerald Herbert / AP file)(Gerald Herbert)

Policy Pitch And Outreach

On the stump, Ramaswamy has promised to lower property taxes and phase out the state income tax to make Ohio more attractive to businesses. He stresses pragmatism and says listening to voters — from veterans worried about benefits to tradespeople concerned about licensing — has reshaped his approach.

Ramaswamy describes social media as “removed and distorted from the real world,” expressing concern about its “discursive” effect on young people and their mental health. (Daniel Lozada for NBC News)(Daniel Lozada for NBC News)

Identity, Criticism And A Shifting Image

Ramaswamy’s candidacy remains shaped by his past positions and the controversies that followed them. As a presidential candidate he advocated ending birthright citizenship and proposed other measures — like a civics test for some young voters — that drew constitutional questions and wide criticism. He also defended H‑1B visas in late 2024, a move that alienated some on the right.

Outside critics include Democratic surrogates who portray him as an out‑of‑touch tech millionaire, and hard‑right voices such as Casey Putsch, a political novice who has launched a social‑media‑centric primary challenge and regularly attacks Ramaswamy online, including with racialized slurs.

Religion and identity have resurfaced as campaign issues. Ramaswamy — the son of Indian immigrants who grew up in Cincinnati — has recounted questions about his Hindu faith and the online abuse he has received. During deliberations over his lieutenant governor pick, some local leaders publicly emphasized the Christian faith of his running mate, state Senate President Rob McColley, a dynamic that highlighted continuing tensions around identity politics in the race.

Where He Fits In The GOP

Ramaswamy’s current posture puts him somewhere between the party’s social‑media‑driven, hard‑line faction and more traditional, establishment Republicans who avoid incendiary rhetoric. He insists he is carving out his own lane: “I’m a Vivek Ramaswamy Republican,” he has said.

Outlook

Whether voters view his evolution as genuine or strategic will be tested in the general election. Early polls show competitiveness, though Ohio’s electoral dynamics generally favor Republicans in statewide races. Ramaswamy’s blend of celebrity, organizational muscle and retail campaigning makes him a formidable contender — even as questions about identity, tone and past policy proposals continue to shape the debate.