Republican gubernatorial candidate Casey Butch has sparked controversy online after a social media response in which he challenged the American identity of fellow Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.The exchange began when Ramaswamy, who is running for governor of Ohio in the 2026 Republican primary, posted on X about a recent meeting with conservationists and hunters in Ohio.
“Great meeting with a group of Ohio conservationists and hunters,” he wrote.
Sustainably preserving wildlife and hunting rights is critical to protecting Ohio’s freedoms and environment. The post included photos of the interaction.Coup responded to Ramaswamy’s post on the same platform with a message that drew attention to its language. In response, Butch said: “Child anchor says Hindu doesn’t hunt, shoot, eat meat, or have any knowledge of firearms. Vote for the coup, real American.”Butch is a business owner and automotive entrepreneur from Perrysburg, Ohio. He founded the Genius Garage charity and presents himself as an “America First” alternative to Ramaswamy in the Republican primaries. His campaign focuses on issues such as immigration and job opportunities for local workers.
The coup’s political platform focuses on imposing stronger restrictions on immigration and prioritizing domestic workers.
He criticized Ramaswamy for what he saw as a lack of opposition to H-1B work visas, saying stronger protections were needed for “working Americans.”Ramaswamy is a billionaire and a candidate supported by US President Trump running for Republican and national conservative offices. His campaign included outreach to voters on a range of issues, including environmental conservation and Second Amendment rights, as reflected in his comments about hunting and wildlife protection.The race for governor of Ohio has attracted national attention, with several candidates offering different visions for the Republican Party and the state’s future. Ramaswamy’s fundraising and endorsements have made him a prominent contender, while the coup message seeks to appeal to a subset of conservative voters who favor stricter immigration policies.There’s also a Democratic option for voters: Amy Acton, the former Ohio health director who is running for governor and has been endorsed by major unions and is seen as a strong contender against Republican candidates in the November 2026 election.
