Two Simple Requests of Vivek Ramaswamy on Being Ohio Governor

Ramaswamy represents a cathartic break that could jump-start Ohio’s recovery. Hopefully he doesn’t waste the unique opportunity that has been provided to him.

As I predicted would happen, Jon Husted ran to J.D. Vance’s vacant U.S. Senate seat to avoid losing to Vivek Ramaswamy in the 2026 governor’s race. Some of you may not like the bluntness of this column at times, but, after eighteen years of watching Establishment career politicians fail again and again, my tolerance for the bullshit that is Ohio politics just isn’t high. The issue for Ohioans going forward is what kind of governor would Ramaswamy make. Most of the indicators are very promising, but dark clouds may be forming already. Thus, here are two simply requests I have of Ramaswamy.

Simple Request #1

Please adopt all or most of the Reaganesque bold colors agenda I laid out when I explored a run for governor in 2023. There isn’t a person in Ohio who has spent more time analyzing the data, comparing Ohio’s results to other states, and identifying the solutions needed to make Ohio great again. I detailed the issues Ohio faces based on the data and the solutions that would change Ohio’s trajectory. You can read the detailed plan below that I produced two years ago (ignore the biographical stuff about me in the first two pages). Read it and tell me where I am wrong. If you agree with these ideas, then adopt them as part of your platform for governor. Without bold colors ideas, Ohio will not escape the dead state walking condition it is in. For thirty years, Establishment career politicians have nibbled on the margins of Ohio’s problems. The results, not surprisingly, are dreadful. Today, Ohio has one of the weakest private sectors, stagnant population growth, skyrocketing state spending, poor education results, more government dependency than at any time in its history, and a state and local tax burden that is too high. If you want to build an agenda that launches you into the White House, doing more of the same won’t be enough, as your likely competitors in Florida, Texas, South Dakota, Virginia, and elsewhere have been getting great results. With bold color policies, you can renew Ohio’s promise that will then inspire all Americans to trust you to do for America what you did for Ohio. Go bold or, frankly, go home.

Mayer For Governor 2026 Agenda 012623

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Simple Request #2

For the love of all that is good in this world, please do NOT hire the same lawyers, lobbyists, campaign hacks, and politicos who’ve spent the last thirty years sucking off the teat of state government working for Bob Taft, John Kasich, Mike DeWine, Jon Husted, Frank LaRose, and other career politicians. These merry-go-round men and women have gotten rich, as Ohio withered on the vine. You must do what Donald Trump is doing in Washington, D.C., and bring in fresh blood with new ideas. To be clear, while I’d gladly help you in any way I can, I am not pitching myself in this request. Don’t hire me, but don’t hire the Capital Square insiders who have failed to strengthen Ohio for thirty years. Word on the street is you are talking with Kasich’s former campaign manager and gubernatorial chief of staff. Vivek, no one in the Ohio MAGA movement wants to return to the RINO Kasich era in which Medicaid and government dependency were massively expanded under Obamacare, spending began its record-setting pace, and key structural reforms to Ohio’s economy weren’t enacted. Kasich’s people will use you to push for Kasich part two, which Ohio simply cannot afford. Kasich’s people are NeverTrumpers. You don’t need any of them to win the governor’s race. You certainly don’t need them to govern. You have a national following. Many of those people would gladly join you in making Ohio great again. Don’t waste the opportunity you might have by bringing on board the same old people with the same stale ideas. They care about making money, not about truly fixing Ohio. Do as Trump is doing and assemble the strongest team of innovators who aren’t beholden to special interests and the status quo.

Mr. Ramaswamy, Ohio has been governed by Establishment career politicians for decades. The longer they ruled, the weaker Ohio has gotten. You represent a cathartic break that could jump-start Ohio’s recovery. Please don’t waste the unique opportunity that has been provided to you.

P.S. Listen to my latest spin on the Bruce Hooley Show where I talked about these issues.

P.P.S. In his first interview since being appointed to Vance’s senate seat, Husted stated, "If you want to cut taxes, you got to cut spending. And that's what I'm accustomed to. And that's the attitude I'll take into the process of being a U.S. senator." The chart below shows just how big a whopper that claim is.