Fact Check: Did Vivek Ramaswamy once say Ohio was 'a good state but not the best'?

COLUMBUS, OHIO: Ahead of the Ohio governor race, a rumor has been circulating on social media platforms claiming that the state's Republican candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, once said that "Ohio is a good state; I can't say it's the best state,” sparking criticisms and speculations. Let us analyze the rumour and fact-check the claim.

Claim: Vivek Ramaswamy once said, 'Ohio is a good state, not the best'

According to the rumour, Vivek Ramaswamy once made a remark that Ohio was not the best state, which began circulating online this month as he won the state's Republican primary for governor.

The claim surfaced in the form of a video that appears to show Ramaswamy saying, "Ohio is a good state; I can't say it's the best state." 

The alleged remark has sparked criticisms, with many slamming Ramaswamy for speaking negatively about his state, while a few others dismissed it as fake and called for a fact check.

Fact Check: Vivek Ramaswamy said it as a joke

The claim is true as the quote is correctly attributed to him, who made the speech statement during a speech at Michigan's Hillsdale College, a private Christian school, in January 2023.

During the speech, he said, “I was sitting next to Emily, who asked me what my favorite state was. Was it Ohio, where I'm from? And I said, ‘Ohio is a good state; I can't say it's the best state.’ She said, ‘I can tell you what's the best state, it's Indiana,’ where she's from. So it's the cussedness of the Hillsdale student.”

However, based on the delivery of the speech and the reaction from the crowd, the remark seemed to be intended as a joke.

Donald Trump's endorsement helps Vivek Ramaswamy in GOP primary

Ramaswamy won the Ohio Republican gubernatorial primary on May 5, defeating long-shot rival Casey Putsch. 

President Donald Trump’s endorsement appears to have played a key role in winning the 2026 race for governor.

In his endorsement post, Trump wrote, "Vivek Ramaswamy is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio, a place I love and Won big, three times, in 2016, 2020, and 2024. I know Vivek well, competed against him, and he is something special. He is Young, Strong, and Smart! Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country.”

He also added, "As your next Governor, Vivek will fight tirelessly to grow the economy, cut taxes and regulations, promote Made in the U.S.A., Champion American Energy Dominance, keep our now very secure borders, secure, stop migrant crime, strengthen our military/veterans, ensure law and order, advance election integrity, and protect our always under siege Second Amendment."

"Vivek Ramaswamy will be a Great Governor of Ohio, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement – He will never let you down!”