• Ramaswamy declares he wants to be “conservative without being combative” as he courts Ohio voters
• December speeches condemned white nationalism and heritage Americanism ideology within Republican Party
• Political transformation follows departure from Trump’s government efficiency initiative and entry into competitive primary

CINCINNATI, OH (TDR) — Vivek Ramaswamy is attempting a political makeover. The former biotech entrepreneur who burst onto the national stage during the 2024 presidential campaign as a combative provocateur is now rebranding himself as “conservative without being combative” for Ohio’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

The shift became starkly apparent in mid-December when Ramaswamy published a New York Times op-ed on December 18 condemning the “blood-and-soil ideology” within the Republican Party, warning that figures like white nationalist Nick Fuentes have no place in the conservative movement. Two days later, at Turning Point USA‘s AmericaFest in Phoenix, he delivered the message directly to thousands of young conservatives, challenging the notion of “heritage Americanism” and arguing that American identity should be based on shared ideals rather than ancestry.

From Flame-Thrower To Unifier

The transformation represents a dramatic departure from Ramaswamy’s 2024 presidential campaign style. During that race, he declared America was in a “cold cultural civil war,” denied the existence of white supremacists, and called rivals corrupt. He advocated for raising the voting age to 25, abolishing the FBI, and described climate change as a hoax.

“I think most people in this country actually share the same foundational values in common. We are not nearly as divided as the media would have you believe.”

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Ramaswamy’s rebranding comes as he seeks to succeed the conservative but mild-mannered Governor Mike DeWine, who has declined to endorse him. The 40-year-old Cincinnati native officially launched his gubernatorial campaign on February 24 after departing President Donald Trump‘s Department of Government Efficiency initiative.

Confronting Right-Wing Extremism

At AmericaFest, Ramaswamy directly confronted rising bigotry within conservative ranks. He denounced “heritage Americanism,” calling the concept “about as loony as anything the woke left has actually put up.”

“The idea that a heritage American is more American than another American is un-American at its core. Our lineage is not our strength.”

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Ramaswamy specifically condemned Fuentes, stating that anyone who believes “Hitler was pretty f–king cool” or uses ethnic slurs against Second Lady Usha Vance has no place in the conservative movement. The speech drew applause but also fierce backlash from far-right figures.

Fuentes responded by calling Ramaswamy an “anchor baby” and urging supporters to vote for Democrats rather than the Indian American entrepreneur. Other white nationalist figures attacked the campaign, with Gab founder Andrew Torba writing a 2,000-word post rejecting the notion that anyone could become American regardless of ancestry.

Primary Competition Looms

Ramaswamy enters a competitive Republican primary against Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who criticized the businessman’s lack of government experience. Polling shows Ramaswamy leading with 61 percent support among likely GOP primary voters compared to Yost’s 24 percent, according to Bowling Green State University surveys conducted in February.

Trump endorsed Ramaswamy on February 24, calling him “something special” and predicting he would be a great governor. The endorsement came alongside support from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Treasurer Robert Sprague.

Democratic candidate Amy Acton, former Ohio health director, has seized on Ramaswamy’s past comments about American workers. Recent polls show the general election race tightening, with some surveys placing Acton within the margin of error.

Jai Chabria, advising Ramaswamy’s campaign, emphasized the candidate’s grassroots approach, noting he has traveled to all 88 Ohio counties meeting voters in person. The May 5, 2026 primary will test whether voters accept Ramaswamy’s political transformation or view it as opportunistic repositioning.

Can a combative outsider successfully rebrand as a unifying conservative, or will Ohio voters see through the political makeover?

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