Ohio GOP Candidate Invites Rival to 'Cowboy vs. Indians' Game

Casey Putsch's video challenging Vivek Ramaswamy has drawn criticism for racist undertones.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:06am

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A fractured, abstract painting in warm earth tones and deep shadows, depicting the overlapping and repeated shapes of a cowboy hat and a feathered headdress, conceptually representing the divisive rhetoric between the two Ohio GOP candidates.The divisive 'cowboy vs. Indians' challenge between Ohio GOP candidates reflects the ongoing issues of racism and intolerance in the political sphere.Columbus Today

Casey Putsch, a Republican candidate for Ohio governor, has challenged his opponent Vivek Ramaswamy to a 'cowboy vs. Indians' game in a video posted on social media. The video has drawn criticism for its racist undertones, with Putsch previously making disparaging remarks about Ramaswamy's Indian heritage and Hindu faith. Meanwhile, a local bakery has canceled a Putsch event after discovering his past pro-Nazi opinions.

Why it matters

The exchange between the two Republican candidates highlights the ongoing issues of racism and intolerance in the political sphere, particularly towards candidates of color. It also raises concerns about the divisive rhetoric and tactics being used in the Ohio gubernatorial race.

The details

In the video, Putsch can be seen firing a rifle and saying, 'Hey Vivek, you wanna play cowboy vs. Indians? Don't worry. It's feather, not dot.' This has been widely condemned as a racist and insensitive reference to Native Americans. Putsch has also previously called Ramaswamy an 'Indian, foreign national-born anchor baby billionaire that extols no conservative values.' Meanwhile, a local bakery in Columbus has canceled a Putsch event after discovering his past remarks expressing 'pro-Nazi opinions'.

  • On April 14, Putsch posted the 'cowboy vs. Indians' video on X (formerly Twitter).
  • In December 2025, Ramaswamy wrote an opinion piece in the New York Times addressing the racist remarks he has faced during his campaign.

The players

Casey Putsch

A Republican candidate for Ohio governor, known for making controversial and divisive statements.

Vivek Ramaswamy

A Republican candidate for Ohio governor, who has faced racist remarks about his Indian heritage and Hindu faith throughout his campaign.

La Chatelaine Bakery & Bistro

A Columbus-based bakery that canceled a Putsch event after discovering his past remarks expressing 'pro-Nazi opinions'.

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What they’re saying

“Hey Vivek, you wanna play cowboy vs. Indians? Don't worry. It's feather, not dot.”

— Casey Putsch, Republican candidate for Ohio governor

“My social media feeds are littered with hundreds of slurs, most from accounts that I don't recognize, about 'pajeets' ... and calls to deport me 'back to India' (I was born and raised in Cincinnati and have never resided outside the U.S.).”

— Vivek Ramaswamy

“We unequivocally denounce those who express pro-Nazi opinions and beliefs, and will not host individuals who are at odds with our stance.”

— Wielezynski family, Owners of La Chatelaine Bakery & Bistro

What’s next

The Ohio Republican primary election is scheduled for May 5, where Putsch, Ramaswamy, and Heather Hill will face off. The winner will then go on to challenge the Democratic candidate, Amy Acton, in the general election.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing issues of racism and intolerance in the political sphere, particularly towards candidates of color. It raises concerns about the divisive rhetoric and tactics being used in the Ohio gubernatorial race, and the need for more respectful and inclusive political discourse.