Vivek Ramaswamy says Republicans 'got our a--es handed to us'
Ohio governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy offered a stark assessment for Republicans on the Nov. 4 election results: "We got our asses handed to us."
In a video posted to the social media platform X, Ramaswamy said the party's losses in governor races in Virginia and New Jersey, as well as New York City's mayor race, offered lessons for his party.
He said the party should shift its focus to "affordability. Make the American dream affordable." That means finding ways to lower costs for groceries, health care, housing and utilities.
He urged Republicans to stop playing "identity politics," saying race and religion shouldn't matter as much as character. While he didn't elaborate, some Republican attacks on New York City mayoral victor Zohran Mamdani had focused on the fact that he was a South Asian Muslim born in Uganda.
Ramaswamy is running to replace term-limited Mike DeWine; the state GOP and President Donald Trump have already endorsed him. But Ramaswamy himself has faced attacks during the campaign directed at his religion and background.
