🔥 HOT: VIVEK RAMASWAMY’S CLEVELAND CAMPAIGN STOP ERUPTS IN POLITICAL CLASH — “FREE PALESTINE” REMARK FROM NEW COUNCIL MEMBER IGNITES DEBATE.c1

Cleveland, OH — What was expected to be a routine campaign event for GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy turned into a striking political moment on Wednesday when a local elected official’s “Free Palestine” remark echoed through the chamber.

The 2026 Ohio governor’s race made its first major visit to Cleveland this week, with Ramaswamy and his team using the event — held at Windows on the River in the Flats — to formally introduce his running mate, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, to Northeast Ohio voters.

But before Ramaswamy could begin his address, the gathering was jolted by a comment from a newly elected Cleveland City Council member, who greeted the crowd with an emphatic call to “Free Palestine.” The remark quickly spread online, drawing responses from both supporters and critics who interpreted it through sharply different political lenses.

Ramaswamy — a wealthy entrepreneur from the Columbus area who already secured the GOP nomination — used the occasion to highlight his campaign’s themes of faith, traditional values, and economic leadership. He and McColley emphasized a shared vision for Ohio’s future, focusing on strengthening conservative policy priorities, economic growth, and statewide governance.

Recognizing the sensitivity some critics have directed at his personal background, Ramaswamy also underscored the inclusive nature of his campaign. The candidate invited Pastor Jeff Tauring of Northfield’s evangelical Liberty Valley Church to deliver the opening prayer — a move seen as a deliberate signal of his commitment to faith‑based supporters across Ohio.

“Tauring asked that God bless Ramaswamy and his team and help them ‘through Your providence make America great again,’” a detail shared by local coverage.

The “Free Palestine” greeting has ignited controversy because it brought a global foreign policy issue into a local Ohio political event. For many in the crowd and viewers online, the comment stood in stark contrast to the campaign’s focus on domestic issues and conservative priorities, adding an unexpected political twist.

That phrase — long associated with international advocacy amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups — sharply divided reactions. Some praised the council member’s willingness to voice a perspective they feel is underrepresented, while others criticized the reference as out of place in a gubernatorial campaign stop. The moment quickly made rounds on social media and highlighted the complex intersection between local governance and national or global political issues.

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