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In a light-hearted moment that has resurfaced amid Ohio’s political landscape, Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s 2023 remark about his home state has attracted renewed attention following his recent primary victory.
The billionaire entrepreneur was captured on video during a January 2023 speech at Michigan’s Hillsdale College saying, “Ohio is a good state; I can’t say it’s the best state.” The comment, delivered with humor and met with audience laughter, came as part of an anecdotal introduction where Ramaswamy recounted a conversation with a student named Emily.
“I was sitting next to Emily, who asked me what my favorite state was. Was it Ohio, where I’m from? And I said, ‘Ohio is a good state; I can’t say it’s the best state,'” Ramaswamy explained to the audience. “She said, ‘I can tell you what’s the best state, it’s Indiana,’ where she’s from. So it’s the cussedness of the Hillsdale student.”
The footage, available on both Hillsdale College’s and Ramaswamy’s YouTube channels since February 2023, has circulated widely on social media as Ramaswamy secured the Republican nomination for Ohio governor on May 5, 2026. He defeated challenger Casey Putsch in the primary and will face Democratic nominee Amy Acton in the November general election to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Mike DeWine.
When contacted about the resurfaced comment, the Ohio Republican Party responded through its chairman, Alex Triantafilou, who defended Ramaswamy as “a born and bred Ohioan whose passion is to make the Buckeye State a place of excellence for generations to come.” Triantafilou added, “Anyone who claims otherwise isn’t paying attention.”
This gubernatorial bid marks Ramaswamy’s second major political campaign. He previously sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, running on a platform opposing what he termed “woke” culture in American institutions. After suspending his presidential campaign in January 2024, Ramaswamy endorsed Donald Trump, who would go on to win the presidency.
Ramaswamy’s business background and political positions have been shaped by his opposition to what he perceives as progressive ideology in corporate America. He outlined these views in his books “Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam” and “Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence.”
During his 2023 Hillsdale College appearance, titled “The Rebellious Entrepreneur,” Ramaswamy focused on what he described as the need for businesses to prioritize excellence over political concerns. The private Christian college in Michigan issued a news release about his speech in February 2023, highlighting its focus on business philosophy rather than state preferences.
The Ohio gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a significant contest in the 2026 election cycle, with Ramaswamy’s substantial financial resources and national profile providing the Republican Party with advantages in their effort to maintain control of the governor’s mansion.
As political observers note, such lighthearted comments often gain outsized attention in the heat of campaigns. However, with six months remaining until the general election, both candidates will likely focus on more substantive policy differences as they compete for Ohio voters’ support.
Ramaswamy’s journey from entrepreneur to presidential candidate to gubernatorial nominee represents a rapid political rise for someone who, until recently, was better known in business and publishing circles than in electoral politics.
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8 Comments
Ramaswamy’s comment about Ohio not being ‘the best’ state was clearly just a playful jab. I doubt he meant any real disrespect – he was just engaging in some friendly rivalry with the Hillsdale student.
As an Ohioan myself, I can appreciate Ramaswamy’s honest assessment. While we may be biased, it’s good to maintain some humility about one’s home turf. Ohio has a lot going for it, but ‘the best’ is certainly debatable.
The audience laughter suggests Ramaswamy’s ‘Ohio is good, not the best’ line landed well. It’s a relatable sentiment that many people can probably identify with when it comes to their home states.
I’m curious to hear more about Ramaswamy’s perspective on Ohio and what he sees as its strengths and weaknesses compared to other states. His self-aware humor is an interesting contrast to typical political rhetoric.
I appreciate Ramaswamy’s candor in not overinflating Ohio’s status. It’s refreshing to see a political figure who can make self-deprecating remarks and not take themselves too seriously.
Ramaswamy’s comment about Ohio seems to have been taken in good fun. I doubt many Ohioans will be too offended by him not claiming it as ‘the best’ state. A little self-deprecation can be refreshing in politics.
A lighthearted moment indeed! Ramaswamy seems to have a good sense of humor about his home state. While Ohio may not be ‘the best’, it’s still a great place with a lot to offer.
Interesting that Ramaswamy didn’t claim Ohio as ‘the best’ state, but rather acknowledged it as a ‘good’ one. Shows he has a balanced perspective and isn’t afraid to poke fun at his own home turf.