Vivek Ramaswamy accepts campaign donation from former Nazi reenactor Richard Iott as Ohio governor race intensifies in Columbus

Vivek Ramaswamy’s run for Ohio governor just picked up an uncomfortable footnote.

Campaign finance records show that his team accepted a $500 donation last August from Richard Iott, a former congressional hopeful whose past once made national headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The contribution itself wasn’t massive.

But the donor’s history has stirred fresh scrutiny at a time when Ramaswamy is already fighting to gain traction in a competitive race.

Who Is Richard Iott and Why Does His Name Resurface?

Richard Iott first drew widespread attention back in 2010 during a congressional campaign in Ohio.

His bid unraveled after photos surfaced showing him participating in historical reenactments while wearing the uniform of the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking — a Nazi military unit that operated under Adolf Hitler during World War II and was linked to atrocities on the Eastern Front, including actions tied to the Holocaust.

At the time, Iott did not deny taking part in the reenactment group.

However, he insisted he did not support Nazi ideology and described his involvement as purely historical interest in World War II military history.

Still, the optics were explosive. Senior Republicans distanced themselves quickly.

Then-House Whip Eric Cantor, the highest-ranking Jewish Republican in Congress at the time, publicly rejected Iott’s actions.

Iott ultimately lost his race by a wide margin.

Fast forward 15 years, and his name continues to resurface whenever his political donations appear in disclosure reports.

Ramaswamy’s Position in a Tight Political Landscape

Ramaswamy, 40, launched his campaign for Ohio governor after stepping away from his short-lived plan to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency alongside Elon Musk.

He previously made a splash on the national stage during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, positioning himself as a younger, tech-savvy conservative voice aligned with Donald Trump’s political style.

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After dropping out of the presidential race following a disappointing Iowa caucus result, he endorsed Trump and later received Trump’s backing for his gubernatorial run.

Despite that endorsement, Ramaswamy has struggled to build a commanding lead.

A December Emerson College poll showed Democrat Amy Acton ahead by one point, though within the survey’s margin of error.

Ohio, which Trump won comfortably in 2024, remains competitive at the state level.

Several GOP challengers are also vying for the nomination ahead of the May 5 primary, including former school board president Heather Hill, write-in candidate Renea Turner, and businessman Casey Putsch.

Why the Donation Matters Politically

In modern campaigns, even small donations can carry symbolic weight.

Opponents often scrutinize donor backgrounds to frame narratives about judgment and values.

Iott has donated to other Republican candidates in recent years, including Virginia gubernatorial hopeful Winsome Earle-Sears, drawing renewed media attention.

Campaigns typically process thousands of contributions, and it’s not uncommon for controversial names to surface in disclosures.

Whether Ramaswamy keeps the donation, returns it, or addresses it publicly could influence how long the story lingers.

The Bigger Picture in Ohio

Ohio’s governor’s race is shaping up as one of the more closely watched contests in 2026.

Democrat Amy Acton, a physician and former Ohio Department of Health director known for her role during the COVID-19 pandemic, has consolidated Democratic support.

Meanwhile, the Republican primary remains competitive.

GOP voters will decide in early May who advances to face Acton in November.

What’s Next?

The immediate question is whether Ramaswamy’s campaign responds or returns the contribution.

Silence could allow critics to keep pressing the issue, especially in a tight race.

As the primary approaches, expect heightened scrutiny not just of donors, but of messaging, endorsements, and fundraising networks.

With national political figures watching closely, the Ohio governor’s race may become a proxy battle for broader Republican identity debates.

Summary

Vivek Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial campaign accepted a $500 donation from Richard Iott, a former Ohio congressional candidate who previously drew controversy for participating in Nazi reenactments.

While Iott denied supporting Nazi ideology, his past has remained politically sensitive.

Ramaswamy, already facing a competitive primary and a close general election polling landscape, now finds himself navigating renewed attention over donor vetting.

With Ohio’s May 5 primary looming, how his campaign handles the situation could shape the narrative in an already closely contested race.