Vivek Ramaswamy faces scrutiny over jet spending and tax promises

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is facing internal Republican criticism regarding his campaign’s use of private aircraft. Campaign finance records indicate that Ramaswamy’s campaign has spent nearly $690,000 leasing aircraft, including approximately $560,000 paid to V Leasing LLC, a company whose address is a house owned by Ramaswamy. Watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has raised concerns that if Ramaswamy is reimbursed for his $25 million in campaign loans using donor funds, he could effectively be using those funds to pay himself through the leasing arrangement. While no campaign-finance violations have been established, critics argue the spending on short flights within Ohio is unnecessary.

During a campaign stop in Athens, Ohio, Ramaswamy addressed economic policy by promising significant property tax relief. He stated that if elected, Ohio would see ‘the biggest property tax cut in America next January,’ and suggested that the total elimination of property taxes could be a future ballot possibility. Ramaswamy also discussed the need to improve education and living conditions, citing the high cost of abandoned healthcare offices as a drain on state resources.