Vivek Ramaswamy officially launched his campaign for Ohio governor in Cincinnati on February 24, with a major boost coming from former President Donald Trump’s endorsement the following day. If elected in 2026 to replace Governor Mike DeWine, Ramaswamy plans to push for Ohio to become the next no-income-tax state, arguing that it will spur economic growth and attract new residents.
Over the past decade, Ohio lawmakers have significantly reduced the state’s top personal income tax rate from 5.9% to 3.5%. However, Ramaswamy wants to go further by fully eliminating state income tax, citing states with no income tax as models for economic prosperity. He believes this move will prevent Ohio from losing residents to states like Texas and Florida.
Ramaswamy’s plan also highlights the need to phase out Ohio’s local income taxes, which 418 municipalities currently impose. Critics argue that these local taxes make Ohio less competitive for businesses and job seekers. Experts, including Greg Lawson from the Buckeye Institute, suggest that both state and local tax reform should be priorities for any incoming governor.
If successful, Ramaswamy would join a growing list of Republican governors aiming to eliminate state income taxes, increasing competition among GOP-led states. His proposal has gained traction among small business owners, with IRS data showing that hundreds of thousands of Ohio businesses file under the individual income tax system.
As the 2026 election approaches, Ramaswamy’s tax policy will likely be a major campaign issue, setting up a competitive GOP race to reshape Ohio’s economic future.
