Latest news with #pro-Ramaswamy
India Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
In Mamdani battle, Vivek Ramaswamy invites crime-hit to Ohio townhall
In a move seemingly aimed at projecting Ohio as a model state for public accountability, strong law enforcement, and a "refuge from progressive governance", Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy invited victims of crime to a townhall meeting in Cincinnati. The event also seemingly served as yet another indirect jab at Democratic Socialist leader Zohran Mamdani, who is New York City's mayoral primary winner. Mamdani is a vocal critic of traditional policing methods, contrasting with Ramaswamy's tough-on-crime townhall comes just weeks after a digital billboard in New York City's Times Square, funded by the pro-Ramaswamy "Vivek Super PAC – Victors, not Victims (VPAC)," urged residents to flee what it called the socialist "tyranny" of 33-year-old Mamdani and "move to Ohio." The provocative ad campaign in July underscored Ramaswamy's strategy of contrasting Ohio's image with the liberal stance of July campaign declared, "For those New Yorkers who have had enough, freedom and prosperity are waiting for you in Ohio," positioning the state as a stark alternative to New York. This also appears to be an attempt to signal that Ohio offers stronger law and order and greater public accountability – factors often seen as crucial for attracting the townhall meeting on Monday (US time), Ramaswamy focused on public safety and addressed mounting concerns over crime in the CALLS FOR STRONGER LAW ENFORCEMENTThe Indian-American politician spoke directly in the aftermath of a widely circulated street altercation that took place on July 26, describing it as a reflection of deeper issues affecting urban communities across a moving speech, Sarah Heringer, whose husband was stabbed to death in the city, laid blame at the feet of city leadership, accusing officials of "negligence, silence and cowardice" for failing to protect her emphasised the need for stronger law enforcement support and community-led solutions, as residents voiced frustration over what they see as a growing sense of insecurity in local Republican leader pointed to the recent attack as a wake-up call."We're here because less than two weeks ago... there was a group of people going out in their city who were violently attacked by a violent mob in the city of Cincinnati," Ramaswamy said, Cincinnati-based newspaper Cincinnati Enquirer guests were invited and attended the townhall, including Cincinnati mayoral candidate Cory Bowman and Heringer, whose husband Patrick Heringer was stabbed to death in Over-the-Rhine earlier this year, WLWT5, a news portal, gave an emotional speech that recounted the night her husband died and blamed city leaders for the this. You're asleep. You wake up to a man standing over your bed with a weapon. How did he get there? Because someone made a decision, because someone signed a paper, because someone did nothing. That's what leadership looks like in Cincinnati: negligence, silence and cowardice," Heringer was quoted as saying Cincinnati Enquirer."When he needed protection, this city gave him nothing, not even basic safety," Heringer said of her husband. "The city failed him," she TAKES A SWIPE AT ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT CULTURERamaswamy pointed to the suspect's parole status as evidence of deeper flaws in the criminal justice system that he says require urgent reform."We need leaders who are going to act with spine... not sweeping these issues under the rug," Ohio-based public broadcaster, Ideastream Public Media, quoted Ramaswamy as of the townhall, Ramaswamy also spoke to Fox News Digital, where he condemned what he called an "anti-law enforcement culture", a remark that appeared to be a veiled swipe at Mamdani and other Democratic leaders.A video showing a group of people being badly beaten in downtown Cincinnati led Ramaswamy to speak out, saying there's a growing attitude in the country that disrespects the police and makes crime worse, according to a report in Fox called the beating of Holly, a woman in the video who apparently was attempting to intervene to help another victim, "totally unconscionable", according to the video shows a group attacking two people, including Holly who suffered serious brain injuries. The assault happened in the early hours of July 26 near the corner of Fourth and Elm streets, just outside a well-known shared that he has been in contact with Holly after first reaching out to her to check in on her well-being after the beating. He previously revealed Holly told him that no local elected officials reached out to her after the incident, Fox News Police Chief Teresa Theetge announced at a press conference that six people were injured in the incident. So far, six suspects have been charged, with four already in custody. The city's fugitive task force is actively searching for the remaining two who are still on the the many onlookers who failed to act during the beating, Ramaswamy commented, "It is sad to see the anti-law enforcement culture, the anti-rule of law culture spread across our country."advertisement"I think there are deeper issues relating to just people being agnostic to the rule of the law, people being desensitised to this kind of violence," he was quoted as saying by Fox News."At our best as human beings, that's not who we are. We feel compassion when something like this happens. Ignoring it is not compassion. Ignoring is cruelty," he called for more "open dialogue" rather than "sweeping these issues under the rug", Fox News RALLY AGAINST RAMASWAMYProtesters assembled across the street from the townhall to express their opposition to Ramaswamy and criticise how he and other conservative leaders had portrayed the July 26 Feist is a Cincinnati resident who came out to protest Ramaswamy. He called the July 26 fight "very unfortunate" but felt it was a complex situation that has been used for political ends by Ramaswamy and others, Ideastream Public Media reported."They take one incident out of context and it's really, really upsetting," he held signs that said that "we love our city," and "Cincinnati is united against racism," WLWT5 protesters' main point was to argue that Cincinnati is safe to live, work and play. Many said they feel safe and live within the city, according to the report.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Times Square ad war: Vivek Ramaswamy fights Zohran Mamdani but says don't attack his ethnicity
A major Times Square ad war broke out as New Yorkers were asked to flee the possibility of becoming the mayor of the city by running to Ohio which has its Governor election in 2026 and Republican leader is the GOP candidate. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The advertisement contrasted Mamdani, a "radical socialist" with Ramaswamy, a person who is "protecting freedom". 'Worried About Zohran? Ohio Is Waiting For You!' the ad says. The digital billboard has been paid for by Vivek Super PAC -- Victors, not Victims, which supports Ramaswamy's candidacy. Ramaswamy has already made a record of the highest fund received in the shortest time for the Ohio governor election, as the Indian-origin young billionaire entered the fray in February only after exiting from the Department of Government Efficiency. The pro-Ramaswamy super PAC has raised $17 million to support his 2026 run for governor. 'We put this billboard up because we couldn't think of two politicians in the country that represent such wildly different paths for the future of our nation. The Mamdani path of socialist totalitarianism versus the Vivek path of American freedom,' Andy Surabian, chief strategist to the VPAC, told the New York Post. The billboard will stay on display at Times Square this whole week. But Ramaswamy has a message for Mamdani critics Quite opposite to their ad war, Vivek Ramaswamy has a message to deliver to those who attack Zohran Mamdani for his Indian-Ugandan origin. In a New York Post article, published at the same time the billboard war began, Ramaswamy wrote about how he has been attacked over his 'race' and how each time he posts a photo, he is asked to 'GO HOME'. Ramaswamy wrote that Mamdani should be countered for his worldviews and not his race or religion. "The real problem with Mamdani isn't his race or religion. It's his anti-capitalist worldview and his policies that risk destroying our nation's largest city," Ramaswamy wrote. "But some supposed 'conservatives' are pouncing on Mamdani not for his political views, but for his ethnicity," Ramaswamy wrote.
The Hill
24-02-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Ramaswamy launches Ohio governor bid
Vivek Ramaswamy launched his 2026 campaign for Ohio governor, taking another crack at elected office after his longshot bid for the White House in 2024. 'President Trump is reviving our conviction in America. We require a leader here at home who will revive our conviction in Ohio, and that is why today I am honored to announce that I am running to be the next Governor of a great state at the heart of the greatest nation known to mankind,' Ramaswamy said at a Monday launch event in Cincinnati. 'I will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country where patriots across America actually flock to instead of Florida and Texas. I will lead Ohio to be the state of excellence in America,' he said. The biotech entrepreneur joins Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) in the Republican primary race to succeed term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine (R) in the Buckeye State. Ramaswamy, who grew his national profile along the 2024 campaign trail, enters the ring with notable support and promising new polling from a pro-Ramaswamy firm. His team recently brought on some of Vice President Vance's top political advisers, seen as an indicator that he could possibly snag a game-changing endorsement from Vance or President Trump. Ramaswamy was a vocal ally of Trump even as he challenged him for GOP nod last year, and was then tapped to help lead Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside tech mogul Elon Musk. He departed that commission last month, teasing 'future plans in Ohio.' Ramaswamy's opened his Monday remarks by touting his efforts to get Trump back into the White House, calling the 2024 election 'a fork in the road,' an apparent reference to the subject line of a Trump administration email offering what amounted to buyouts to all federal employees. The email came as part of efforts by the White House and DOGE to overhaul the federal government. Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague was expected to run for the governor's mansion, but he changed course and gave Ramaswamy his support earlier this month. Former Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R) was also considered a potential contender, but DeWine instead named him for Vance's vacant seat in the Senate. DeWine then selected ex-Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel to take on the lieutenant governorship. At a press conference announcing his nomination, Tressel didn't explicitly rule out an eventual run for governor, but said he has a 'singleness of purpose' for his new role. Ramaswamy's alignment with Trump is set to serve him well in Ohio, which Trump won by 11 points in November. Still, Ramaswamy has been criticized from both sides of the aisle over some controversial moves, like his labeling of the 'climate change agenda' as a 'hoax' and his support for slashing Ukraine funding. He also faces a tough competitor in Yost, who boasts experience in elected office and long political ties to the state. Yost notably expressed his support for Trump in his own campaign launch. Amy Acton, a former Ohio health director, is running on the Democrats' side. 'Ohioans need a governor who wants to improve their lives, but Ramaswamy is a billionaire who cares more about his bottom line than Ohioans,' said state Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters in a statement ahead of the launch. 'It's day one of his campaign, and it's clear that Ramaswamy is only out for himself and elite special interests. Ohioans will reject them both at the polls.' Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) was among the speakers who kicked off the launch. Ramaswamy was expected to hold another launch event in New Albany on Monday night, followed by stops in Toledo and Strongsville on Tuesday.
