Vivek Ramaswamy Focuses on Conservative Youth Movement While Eyeing 2026 Elections

PHOENIX – Ohio gubernatorial candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy arrived at AmericaFest in Phoenix with a clear message for conservatives: take nothing for granted, even in traditionally red states like Ohio.

Speaking to Fox News Digital at the Phoenix Convention Center on Friday, Ramaswamy described meeting numerous attendees who expressed both enthusiasm and determination ahead of the conference.

“I went for a hike earlier today to Camelback Mountain, and we saw tons of young people who are going to be here tonight,” Ramaswamy said. “The mood is a combination of enthusiastic and determined, but with a sober sentimentality as well.”

Many attendees are still processing the recent assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, which has cast a somber tone over the gathering. Ramaswamy noted that young conservatives at the event are “hungry for direction” and seeking clarity on the movement’s future in the wake of Kirk’s death.

In Ohio, Ramaswamy is campaigning to succeed term-limited moderate Republican Governor Mike DeWine. Despite Ohio’s increasingly reliable Republican voting record in recent years, Ramaswamy emphasized he isn’t taking his race for granted – especially following disappointing Republican performances in recent elections from Florida to Pennsylvania.

“I think we’ve got to worry less about just defeating the left – because we did that last year. That’s not good enough. We have to offer our own vision of what we actually stand for,” Ramaswamy explained.

His platform centers on two major priorities for Ohio: economic relief and education reform. “Number one is to put more money back in people’s pockets,” he said, outlining plans to reduce property taxes and potentially eliminate state income tax. Rather than waiting for costs to decrease, Ramaswamy’s approach aims to increase disposable income immediately.

The second pillar of his campaign focuses on education reform. Ramaswamy criticized what he describes as “woke indoctrination” and “victimhood psychology” in schools, arguing that state-level reforms can prepare young people to become “useful, contributing members of the workforce.”

“As someone who did run for president, I can tell you that a governor can make an even bigger difference than a president when it comes to education,” said Ramaswamy, who previously sought the Republican presidential nomination before dropping out of the race. “I hope we in Ohio set an example of what the other 49 states can actually aspire to.”

Looking beyond the Trump administration, which will end in 2028 due to term limits, Ramaswamy emphasized that the conservative movement’s future success depends on maintaining an “aspirational” focus.

“That’s my message to those young people tonight, and it is a challenging message. It’s not sugar-coated,” he said. “The number one factor that determines whether you achieve your goals in life is actually you. That’s a tough message, but it’s the truth.”

Ramaswamy, who founded biotech pharmaceutical company Roivant Sciences, also expressed support for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA (Make Americans Healthy Again) agenda. He praised the initiative’s focus on youth health, including improving school nutrition and physical education standards.

“The best way to bring down health care costs – who would have ever thought – is actually to have a healthier population in the first place,” Ramaswamy said. He suggested implementing “common-sense state-level changes” in Ohio to improve public health outcomes.

AmericaFest continues to draw thousands of conservative voters and activists, particularly young people, highlighting the ongoing efforts within the Republican Party to energize its base ahead of upcoming electoral contests. The conference represents an important gathering for the conservative movement as it seeks to define its message and strategy moving forward.