UD Students on Vivek Ramaswamy
Photo via Vivek Ramaswamy Instagram
Grace O’Connor | Contributing Writer
As the race for the next governor of Ohio continues, national political figure and 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has become a topic of conversation on many Ohio college campuses, including the University of Dayton. His candidacy has sparked enthusiasm and debate on the Dayton campus.
In April 2025, Ramaswamy was a guest speaker for the University of Dayton College Republicans after announcing his campaign for Ohio governor months prior.
When this reporter asked UDCR representation for their input on the candidacy of the entrepreneur, UDCR representatives held off on offering their stance.
Ramaswamy has become closely aligned with similar beliefs of President Donald Trump. His emphasis on economic growth, free-market policies, and reducing government regulation has resonated with a small number of college students this reporter spoke with in recent weeks.
Sydney Theibert, class of 2027, said the thought of her future has heavily influenced her support of Ramaswamy. “I take into consideration job growth as I will be entering the workforce here upon graduation in May 2027. That along with the cost of living and keeping taxes low,” she said.
A quick turn researching some of Ramaswamy’s positions reveals that he wants to reduce the federal workforce by 75 percent, move toward a zero income tax, and strongly opposes transgender rights and affirmative action.
Affordability seems to be a major issue, as tuition, student loan debt, the cost of living, and life after college weighs heavily on students’ minds.
Theibert also reflected on the lack of student discussions of politics at UD.
“No, I haven’t heard much talk on campus. I think it should be talked about more often. With about 50 percent of our student population being Ohio residents, it is important to educate students about Ohio’s government as we are the future.”
Other students who were interviewed said they question how Ramaswamy’s education policies and budget priorities would affect the lives of Ohio citizens.
Connor Casey, class of 2026, questions if Ramaswamy is the right choice: “Vivek has talked about taking away state income tax, but if he does that will housing costs increase as a result?”
Casey identifies himself as a supporter of lowering housing costs and protecting the environment from AI data centers. He wants to see a governor who prioritizes Ohio citizens with incentives.
UD students reflect a broad reality about the governor’s race featuring Ramaswamy (his running mate is Ohio Senate President Rob McColley) and three other republicans — Genius Garage car charity founder Casey Putsch, Appalachian businesswoman Heather Hill, and entrepreneur Renea Turner — as well as a Libertarian, former Honda worker Donald Kissick.
The Democratic challenger is Dr. Amy Acton, former Ohio Department of Health director (her running mate is David Pepper, former Ohio Democratic Party Chairman) — college voters are paying attention.
The Ohio Primary/Special Election is scheduled for May 5. April 6 is the deadline to register, according to the secretary of state’s office.
The general election is Nov. 3, when Ohioans also will vote for an attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer, as well as State Supreme Court seats and a US Senate race featuring incumbent and UD alum Jon Husted, Democrat and former US Sen. Sherrod Brown, volunteer Special Olympics coach Ron Kincaid (Democrat) and Libertarian candidates Jeffrey Kanter and William Redpath.
Editor’s Note: Grace O’Connor is enrolled in the Flyer News Practicum, which offers students experiential experiences in the journalism arts. The Practicum, an elective in the Department of Communication curriculum, College of Arts and Sciences, is offered fall and spring.