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Gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy promises property tax relief at a campaign stop in Athens

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy promised that if elected he will slash property taxes, if not fully eliminate them.

Ramaswamy told an audience gathered inside Red Brick on Court Street Saturday that Ohio would see “the biggest property tax cut in America next January.”

A guest asked if Ohio could fully eliminate property taxes as Florida has. Ramaswamy said Florida has not successfully eliminated property taxes, but reassured that it is possible for Ohio and may be on the ballot in upcoming years.

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy talked to a guest at a campaign event
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy talked to a guest at a campaign event Saturday at the Red Brick Tavern on Court Street in Athens. [Thomas Billington | WOUB]
Ramaswamy also spoke briefly about better education and living conditions for Ohio but did not speak in depth on the topics. He did talk about his own education, specifically his time at St. X, formally known as St. Xavier, in Cincinnati. He used this to broaden his discussion about “reviving the American dream” in Ohio by talking about his experiences as a young child that would not have been possible elsewhere.

After he concluded his remarks, Ramaswamy opened the floor to questions from guests. One asked how taxes could be cut while still preserving essential services like healthcare. Ramaswamy explained that abandoned healthcare offices that may have nothing more than a P.O. box number cost Ohio $4.7 billion a year. He followed up by saying Ohio must “prosecute the bad guys to protect the good guys.” 

Ramaswamy was not the only Republican candidate at the event. Dave Taylor, who is seeking reelection in Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District was present, as was Sarah Smith, who is running for Athens County commissioner.

Outside of the event a small group of protesters formed in opposition to Ramaswamy, but they did not enter the building. One of the protesters, a resident of Athens County, said  “wherever he goes he should be greeted with opposition.” The resident expressed their concerns regarding Ramaswamy’s policies, ranging from his support of mass deportation to topics of environmental concern. 

The protester also mentioned Ramaswamy’s plan to possibly shut down public universities, saying, “What would happen to Athens city, what would happen to Athens county if there was no longer Ohio University.”