Indian-American Republican leader and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has made a bold economic promise in his campaign to become the next Governor of Ohio. He has pledged to transform the state into a zero income tax zone, arguing that such a move is well within reach and would empower residents to keep more of their earnings.
"Your Money, Not the Government's": The Tax-Free Vision
Addressing supporters at a campaign event in Cleveland, Ramaswamy laid out his central economic plank. He vowed to make Ohio a state with no income tax, joining the ranks of nine other US states that have already implemented this policy. "We are going to make Ohio a zero income tax state where you can keep what you earn. It is your money, not the government's," he declared.
The tech billionaire and biotech executive framed the proposal as a matter of efficiency and common sense, rather than an insurmountable challenge. "If nine other states can get this job done, I will tell you the state to put a man on the moon can get this job done, too," Ramaswamy stated, downplaying the complexity. He emphasized that achieving this goal is "not rocket science" but requires a business-minded approach to governance.
Currently, the nine US states without a state income tax are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.
A Businessman's Agenda: Efficiency and Swift Action
Positioning himself as a political outsider, Ramaswamy argued that his business background makes him uniquely qualified to streamline government operations. "We need a businessman not a bureaucrat to get that job done. That is why I'm in this race," he told the crowd.
His promises extend beyond income tax. Ramaswamy also committed to delivering the "biggest property tax rollback" in Ohio's history, asserting that homes and land belong to the people, not the government. He pledged to accomplish this while simultaneously improving academic outcomes in public schools.
Contrasting his style with typical politics, he promised immediate results for Ohioans. "Ohioans don’t want strongly worded social media posts. They want results. And that’s exactly what they’ll get once I’m elected: swift, unrelenting, immediate action," Ramaswamy asserted.
Building the Ticket: Ramaswamy Announces Running Mate
In a significant move for his campaign, Vivek Ramaswamy announced his choice for lieutenant governor on Wednesday. He selected Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate, aiming to balance his entrepreneurial profile with legislative experience.
"I’m an entrepreneur, not a politician," Ramaswamy said, explaining the choice from Cincinnati. He expressed his need for a partner who deeply understands the legislative process to help advance an aggressive policy agenda. "He has experience that I don't," Ramaswamy acknowledged during the upbeat announcement event in Cleveland.
The 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election, where Ramaswamy will contest, is scheduled for November 3, 2026. His campaign has gained notable traction with the endorsement of former US President Donald Trump, who has hailed Ramaswamy as "special."
