PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CROWD … Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stands with the crowd of people inside Archbold’s Lugbill Supply Center. There, he spoke and interacted with those who came to see him.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Republican Party hosted Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in Archbold on Sunday, September 21, where he stopped at Lugbill Supply Center on his way to a banquet in Henry County.
The event drew a large crowd of residents who came to hear his speech, meet him in person, and shake his hand.
While the event took place inside the building, a handful of three to four protesters stood outside along the sidewalk, voicing their opposition to his visit.
Josh Unverferth of Lugbill Supply Center explained that the local Republican Party had coordinated the appearance, noting that candidate stops are part of Ramaswamy’s effort to visit all 88 counties across Ohio.
“It speaks a lot for the community of Archbold,” Unverferth said. “We’re just letting people kind of mill out, hang around, to meet a candidate. Somebody that could potentially have a big impact on their life.”
Unverferth also said property tax relief was among the issues that appealed to many in attendance, pointing out that lower taxes would benefit businesses and families alike.
Inside, Ramaswamy delivered a lengthy speech that blended personal reflections with a vision for Ohio’s future. He opened by referencing recent national events, including the assassination of his friend Charlie Kirk, and spoke about the importance of free expression and open debate without fear of violence.
“We’re the country on God’s green earth where we can disagree vehemently, and in our best, still get together at the dinner table at the end of it,” he said.
The candidate shared his personal story, recalling how his parents immigrated to Ohio in the 1970s and built a life that allowed him to succeed as an entrepreneur.
He described that journey as an example of the American Dream, one he said should remain within reach for future generations.
“The extraordinary thing about that story is, it’s really not that extraordinary,” he told the crowd. “This is the country in human history where that is possible, where that story is normal.”
Much of his speech focused on restoring Ohio’s position as a national leader. He highlighted the state’s industrial past, from steel and glass to aviation and space exploration, and argued that Ohio has the natural resources and geographic advantages to become America’s next frontier.
He spoke about lowering the state income tax to zero, reducing property taxes, and cutting back what he described as excessive “red tape” that hinders growth.
Ramaswamy also placed heavy emphasis on education, calling it the most pressing issue for the next two decades.
He criticized absenteeism rates in public schools following COVID closures, pledged to hold students accountable to reading benchmarks, and advocated for multiple career pathways that include both college degrees and skilled trades. “We want every path to be open to every child,” he said. “That’s what a true meritocracy is about.”
The speech was wide-ranging, touching on border security, faith, family, and free speech, while continually circling back to his central theme of reviving Ohio’s potential to lead the nation. “We are not a state in decline. We are not a nation in decline,” he said.
“I truly believe, and this is not some fake politician wording, I mean this in a true way. I believe we are a state and a nation still in our ascent.”
“That place on God’s green Earth, where we will look our kids in the eye and mean it when we tell them, that you get ahead in the United States of America, and you get ahead in the state of Ohio, with your own hard work, your own commitment, your own dedication, and that, yes, you are free to speak your mind at every step of the way. That is the American Dream. That is what we are running to.
Ramaswamy ended his remarks by calling on Ohioans to see the coming election as a chance to set a national example.
Afterward, he fielded several questions from the crowd on a variety of issues. In response to a question about consolidating school districts, he suggested that the most effective starting point would be shared services.
He explained that many expenses are duplicated across districts, and that meaningful savings could be realized without full consolidation, making it a sensible first step.