Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy posted a video of a conversation with a man he identified as a Democrat during a stop in Holmes County. According to the post, the man did not hold back about what he thought as the two spoke. The clip has circulated on X, drawing reactions from online users.
In the clip, Ramaswamy speaks with a man at an indoor community event in Holmes County. The man criticizes Democratic candidate Amy Acton, saying she “wanted to shut down the county fair” and questioning how she could “show her face, let alone run.” Ramaswamy responds that “she does not answer questions from voters,” adding that after 18 months of campaigning “she has not taken a single question from a voter that’s kind of crazy.”
The man then says he does not think “she’s that smart” and questions “how she got to be a doctor.” Ramaswamy replies that it is “a discussion for another day,” stating they will “forget about her” and instead “actually do a good job for the state.”
The man concludes, “I’m a Democrat, but I am voting for you.” The exchange ends with a handshake. The footage does not independently confirm the man’s party affiliation or the full content of his remarks, and it is not clear what was said before or after the recorded portion.
Critical Responses to the Holmes County Clip
Some users questioned the man’s claimed party ties, with comments such as “Going to run as a Democrat now?” and “No way in hell he’s a Democrat.”
Others focused on the man’s reported party ties, commenting that “the sane Democrats no longer have a sane party and should switch.”
Others directed personal criticism at Ramaswamy, including remarks like “This guy must have lost his sense of smell to be that close to you,” “You should leave,” and “‘Go Back to India.’”
Additional replies focused on the recording itself, criticizing the microphone or the closeness of the conversation, with one user asking, “Why are you walking around with a microphone strapped to your chest to talk to voters?”
The exchange has joined the ongoing online discussion around Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor. The video continues to circulate as viewers respond to the conversation captured at the event.
