Vivek Ramaswamy called on Republicans to seize the moment and present a compelling alternative to socialist leaders such as New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. He described the Democratic Party’s leftward shift as a critical “fork in the road” for America, urging conservatives not just to reject socialism—but to offer a positive vision rooted in capitalism and free enterprise.
Ramaswamy, currently campaigning for Ohio governor, framed Mamdani’s rise as emblematic of the broader “socialist wing” gaining ground, citing other progressive leaders like Omar Fateh in Minneapolis. He stated: “This is our chance to actually offer the vision … why free enterprise … is the best system known to the history of man”.
His pro-Ramaswamy super PAC purchased a $50,000 billboard in Times Square that contrasts Mamdani’s socialist platform with Ohio as a symbol of opportunity and conservative values: “Ready to flee NYC? Move to Ohio!”.
Ramaswamy emphasized that conservative response should focus on policy substance—not personal identity. In op-eds and commentary, he warned against racial grievance politics, urging critics to “fight his ideas, not his ethnicity” to avoid validating the left’s identity-based narrative.
