The Republican running to replace Gov. Mike DeWine floated the idea of consolidating Ohio universities to pay for eliminating the state’s income tax
Updated March 17, 2026, 1:35 p.m. ET
Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate for Ohio governor, has suggested consolidating some of the state’s universities as a means of funding the elimination of Ohio’s income tax.
“Look at the number of universities in our state. I love universities in Ohio. I want us to have the best universities, but we have too many of them,” Ramaswamy said in a video posted on Threads over the weekend. “They need to be consolidated, and when you consolidate them, they can actually be centers of excellence who are actually the best in their respective domains instead of trying to create replicas and clones of one another throughout the state.”
Ramaswamy’s proposal comes as he campaigns for the upcoming gubernatorial election. He previously ran for president in the 2024 Republican primaries, later endorsing Donald Trump. He received endorsements from both President Trump and the Ohio Republican Party for his 2026 run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vivek Ramaswamy propose?
Vivek Ramaswamy proposed consolidating Ohio universities to fund the elimination of the state’s income tax.
Where did Ramaswamy share this idea?
Ramaswamy shared this idea in a video posted on Threads, a social media app.
Has Ramaswamy held political office before?
No, Ramaswamy has not held political office before. He ran for president in 2024 but withdrew from the race and endorsed Donald Trump.
As Ramaswamy continues his campaign, how might this proposal shape the debate around Ohio’s higher education system and economic future?
