Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest conference on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. At right is White nationalist Nick Fuentes outside of a Turning Point event on June 15, 2024 in Detroit, Mich. (Cheney Orr/Reuters; Dominic Gwinn/Getty Images)
Ramaswamy laid out his vision for what it means to be an American during remarks Friday at AmericaFest.
"What does it mean to be an American in the year 2026? It means we believe in those ideals of 1776," he said at the Turning Point USA event. "It means we believe in merit, that the best person gets the job regardless of their skin color."
"It means we believe in free speech and open debate," he added. "Even for those who disagree with us, from Nick Fuentes to Jimmy Kimmel, you get to speak your mind in the open without the government censoring you."
RAMASWAMY REVEALS MAIN LESSON LEARNED BY REPUBLICANS AFTER DEMOCRATS' BIG WINS ON ELECTION DAY
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine arrives for a group photo with the Ohio Congressional delegation following the ceremonial swearing-in of Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, in the Old Senate Chamber in the Capitol on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Ramaswamy is running to replace DeWine. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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Current Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who is also a Republican, is term-limited and will be departing office in January 2027.
Fox News Digital’s David Rutz contributed to this report.
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
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