Ohio GOP Ticket Condemns Dem's 'Kill Trump' Rhetoric

Ramaswamy, McColley, and Faber criticize opponent Forhan's controversial statements

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:15pm

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In an exclusive interview, Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and his running mate, Senate President Rob McColley, along with GOP state auditor Keith Faber, condemned the 'vile' rhetoric from Democratic attorney general candidate Elliot Forhan, who recently announced a plan to 'kill Donald Trump.' The Republicans vowed to lead with a 'positive tone' and unite the state, in contrast to the 'toxic, vitriolic, combativeness' of their opponents.

Why it matters

This race for Ohio's top law enforcement position has drawn national attention due to Forhan's controversial statements, which some view as inciting violence against a former president. The Republicans are seeking to draw a sharp contrast, positioning themselves as statesmen focused on public safety and unity rather than divisive rhetoric.

The details

Ramaswamy criticized his opponent, Democrat Amy Acton, for setting the 'wrong tone' with 'unnecessary, often toxic, vitriolic, combativeness.' He expressed confidence that the Republican ticket will win and 'lead with a positive tone that unites our state, rather than dividing people.' Faber, Forhan's GOP opponent for attorney general, denounced Forhan's rhetoric as 'vile' and called on him to be more of a 'statesman' focused on public safety, in contrast to New York's attorney general.

  • On January 27, 2026, Forhan announced his plan to 'kill Donald Trump.'

The players

Vivek Ramaswamy

The Republican candidate for governor of Ohio.

Rob McColley

The Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Ohio and Ramaswamy's running mate.

Keith Faber

The Republican candidate for Ohio state auditor and the opponent of Elliot Forhan, the Democratic candidate for attorney general.

Elliot Forhan

The Democratic candidate for Ohio attorney general who announced a plan to 'kill Donald Trump.'

Amy Acton

The Democratic opponent of Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio gubernatorial race.

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What they’re saying

“I think that the problem with the modern Democratic Party is that they are effectively condoning this type of behavior repeatedly.”

— Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican candidate for governor of Ohio (The Daily Signal)

“If you look at the … approach that our opponents to this race have taken … led by Amy Acton, in some ways, it sets the wrong tone, the wrong tone of unnecessary, often toxic, vitriolic, combativeness that unfortunately perpetuates more of this type of ugly rhetoric.”

— Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican candidate for governor of Ohio (The Daily Signal)

“Frankly, you need to be less like Letitia James and looking for a crime to justify the punishment you want to oppose and more like, candidly, a statesman. [Forhan's] striking out on all those accounts.”

— Keith Faber, Republican candidate for Ohio state auditor (The Daily Signal)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Elliot Forhan to remain on the ballot for Ohio attorney general despite his controversial 'kill Trump' rhetoric.

The takeaway

This race highlights the stark divide between the Republican and Democratic candidates in Ohio, with the GOP ticket vowing to lead with a 'positive tone' and unite the state, in contrast to the 'toxic, vitriolic' rhetoric from their opponents that some view as inciting violence.