Ramaswamy makes surprise appearance at Democratic convention

CHICAGO — Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy made a surprise appearance on the final day of the Democratic National Convention, just hours before Vice President Harris is set to take the stage.

“I held a conference open to the public, open to the press, earlier today, where I laid out an alternative vision — the vision that not only our party, but the America First movement and Donald Trump stands for — to give voters that choice,” Ramaswamy said when asked by The Hill what his goal was in attending the convention. 

“And it was to call on Kamala Harris to offer her own vision. Let’s see if she does it tonight,” he added.

He noted that he was at the convention for a few hours and was committed to doing some interviews, saying he believed in open debate. He also noted that he had spent some time with the protesters in the city. 

“The beauty of this country is you get to express your opinion, whether or not I agree with it, you get to express your opinion. That’s what a lot of the protesters outside were doing,” Ramaswamy said.

“And you know what? We’re not in this just to lead the people who agree with us. We’re in this to lead an entire country, and that’s what I wanted to show by being here, is we believe in open debate,” he said. “We can do it respectfully. You can do it peacefully.”

Ramaswamy ran against former President Trump in the GOP presidential primary, later exiting the race and endorsing him. 

Ramaswamy, who is from Ohio, suggested potential interest in a run for Senate if Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) is elected with Trump in November, which would leave his seat open.