Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sharply criticized Vivek Ramaswamy on Thursday following the Republican’s defeat in the Ohio gubernatorial race, questioning the decision to nominate him and arguing that his background and policy positions failed to connect with the state’s working-class voters.

Speaking on The Sage Steele Show, DeSantis pointed to Ramaswamy’s background as a technology and biotechnology entrepreneur, as well as his support for bringing foreign workers into the United States on employment visas. He argued that those positions were poorly suited to a state with a large blue-collar electorate.

“How bad did they beat Vivek like a drum? Now, part of that was Vivek, quite frankly. I don't know why they would have pushed him to be the candidate there,” DeSantis said.

“My mom's from Youngstown. Ohio is a working-class state, very blue-collar. You know, Vivek, he's like a tech guy, did this Alzheimer's drug, and he wants to bring in people, foreign worker on visas. That is not the type of person that's going to sell,” he continued.

DeSantis acknowledged that Ramaswamy made mistakes during the campaign but argued that Republicans also failed to recognize the importance of choosing a candidate who reflected the interests and experiences of Ohio voters.

“I know he shot himself in the foot. I know he did a lot of other stuff to make it a real landslide against him,” DeSantis said. “But even with that, it's like, you got to meet the voters where they are on some of this stuff.”

The Florida governor added that Republicans likely would have performed better with a candidate more closely connected to the state's working-class communities.

“I think we would have done better in Ohio had we had a candidate that was more representative or more in tune with the interests of kind of these blue-collar people that make the backbone of Ohio. But they got blown out there,” he said.

Ramaswamy lost to Democrat Amy Acton in Tuesday's election, with Acton winning approximately 52% of the vote to Ramaswamy's 44%, an eight-point defeat. Acton, a physician who previously served as Ohio's health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, will become the state's first Democratic governor in 20 years and its first woman elected to the office.

Ramaswamy had entered the race with President Donald Trump's endorsement and substantial backing from national Republicans. His campaign also benefited from significant financial support, but the contest became increasingly contentious in its final weeks. A controversial advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother drew criticism from Democrats and several prominent Republicans, including outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine and Sen. Jon Husted.

DeSantis's criticism also focused on Ramaswamy's position on employment-based immigration. Ramaswamy has previously defended the use of skilled foreign workers, including H-1B visa holders, arguing that American companies need access to global talent. His comments have drawn criticism from immigration restrictionists and some conservatives who argue that employers should prioritize American workers.

The remarks add to the criticism facing Republican leadership after Democrats made significant gains in the 2026 midterm elections. DeSantis has increasingly spoken out about the party's losses, arguing that Republicans need to take responsibility for failing to deliver on their promises and reconnect with voters who stayed home.