In a sharp political confrontation, former DOGE adviser James Fishback has strongly countered Indian-origin candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's vision for Ohio's industrial revival, using the opportunity to reinforce his controversial stance against the H-1B visa program.
The Social Media Showdown
The conflict erupted when Ramaswamy, who has received Donald Trump's endorsement and is currently campaigning for Ohio Governor, posted on X about the state's potential to lead the next industrial revolution. Vivek Ramaswamy emphasized that energy dominance is crucial for this transformation, pointing to permitting timelines, bureaucratic red tape, and regulatory obstacles as major barriers slowing down new power generation projects.
Ramaswamy stated: "Ohio led the first Industrial Revolution & there's no reason we can't lead the next one, but energy dominance is essential. Permitting timelines, red tape, and bureaucracy are slowing new power generation & everyday Ohioans are paying higher electric bills as a consequence. We're going to fix it in Ohio by speeding up permitting through executive action on Day 1."
Fishback's H-1B Visa Crusade Intensifies
James Fishback, who is preparing for his own gubernatorial campaign in Florida for 2026, responded by redirecting the conversation toward his repeated calls to terminate the H-1B visa system. The 30-year-old investor sharply replied: "Ohio led the first Industrial Revolution… Correct, and it was done without H-1Bs from India. As Florida Governor, I'll end the H-1B scam so our workers can get back the great-paying jobs that were stolen from them."
Fishback has built his political identity around conservative "America First" principles, with his campaign focusing heavily on immigration and employment issues. His platform includes several controversial promises:
- Abolishing property taxes completely
- Blocking what he describes as unfair hiring of H-1B visa workers by state agencies
- Halting new AI data-center projects across the state
Escalating Rhetoric and Campaign Promises
The Florida gubernatorial candidate has significantly escalated his anti-H-1B rhetoric in recent weeks. Last week, Fishback declared he would fire every H-1B worker from state agencies on his first day in office if elected in 2026.
"I'll fire every single H-1B working at our state agencies before the sun sets on my first day as Florida Governor. Then we'll hire incredible Floridians for those posts," the conservative figure announced.
On Wednesday, Fishback turned up the heat further with another explosive statement on X: "We have countless smart people right here in Florida, and yet companies are refusing to hire them because they like to hire H-1B foreign slave workers instead because they are cheaper. I want our kids to have jobs, so they can have money to buy a home, get married, and raise a God-fearing family."
Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy has centered his 2026 gubernatorial campaign around education reform and enhancing Ohio's economic competitiveness, presenting a contrasting vision for industrial development that doesn't specifically address immigration concerns.
Shared DOGE Background and Political Trajectories
Both political figures share a common professional background, having worked under the DOGE initiative, which was shut down abruptly and early, creating significant controversy within their political base and raising questions about Elon Musk, who originally launched the project.
Fishback is positioned to succeed Ron DeSantis, one of the Republican Party's most prominent leaders, while Ramaswamy continues to build his political profile following his presidential campaign and subsequent endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
As the 2026 gubernatorial races approach, the debate over H-1B visas and their impact on American workers is likely to remain a central issue, particularly among conservative candidates seeking to distinguish themselves with strong immigration stances.
