“We Got Our A***s” Handed To Us” – Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Says Republicans Should Learn TWO Key Lessons Following Poor Performances

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was blunt in his message for Republicans after a rough election night.

“We got our a***s handed to us,” Ramaswamy said.

The former presidential candidate said there are “two key lessons for Republicans” following defeats in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City.

“Our side needs to focus on affordability. Make the American Dream affordable. Bring down costs. Electric costs, grocery costs, healthcare costs, and housing costs. And lay out how we’re gonna do it,” he explained.

“And number two, cut out the identity politics. It doesn’t suit Republicans. It’s not for us. That’s the woke left’s game, not ours. We don’t care about the color of your skin or your religion. We care about the content of your character. That’s who we are,” he continued.

Check it out:

Lessons from tonight, no sugar coating. pic.twitter.com/CMZCIH4g2O

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 5, 2025

Fox News shared more:

Republicans suffered decisive defeats in several key races across the country on Tuesday night. This came despite several of the Democratic candidates being wrapped in controversy and scandal.

In Virginia, Democrat Jay Jones successfully unseated Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares. Just weeks before Election Day, Jones had to apologize for resurfaced text messages he sent a colleague in which he fantasized about putting “two bullets” in the head of a Republican opponent. Jones also sent messages voicing that he believed the Republican’s “fascist” children should die.

In New Jersey, now Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill was also caught up in controversy over her alleged role in a massive cheating scandal during her time at the U.S. Naval Academy. Sherrill was not accused of cheating. However, she said she was kept from participating in her commencement because she refused to divulge information on some of those involved. A former classmate of Sherrill’s, meanwhile, suggested that she was not being honest about the extent of her involvement in the scandal.

Ramaswamy left Ohio for short stints in recent weeks to stump for now-defeated GOP gubernatorial candidates Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia and Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey.

At the time, Ramaswamy said GOP victories in both elections would “set the table for even bigger and more decisive victories, hopefully in places like Ohio next year.”

Ramaswamy is widely considered the favorite to win next year’s Ohio gubernatorial election, receiving endorsements from President Trump and the Ohio GOP.

“More energy. More housing. More high-quality education. Less crime. Less taxation. Less identity politics. Starting in Ohio soon,” Ramaswamy said Wednesday.

More energy. More housing. More high-quality education.

Less crime. Less taxation. Less identity politics.

Starting in Ohio soon.

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 5, 2025

The Hill noted:

Though Spanberger and Sherrill campaigned from the moderate center, while Mamdani represents the progressive left, all three prioritized cost of living and affordability while talking to voters.

Mamdani remained focused on economic issues, even as some of his opponents at times made direct and indirect jabs at his religious identity. In the final days of his campaign, a group backing his opponent released an ad tying the mayor-elect to imagery of the 9/11 attack on the city. Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran an independent campaign and finished in second place, also suggested late last month that Mamdani could not be trusted to lead the city if “God forbid, another 9/11” transpired.

Mamdani critics also frequently attacked the then-candidate for his position on Israel and the war in Gaza.