MARIETTA — Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stepped outside a private campaign dinner Friday evening to engage with a small group of protesters from Living Democracy and Indivisible Mid-Ohio Valley, who gathered to raise concerns about education, health care and access to public services.

Ramaswamy, who arrived at the venue ahead of the event, approached the demonstrators — including Betsy Cook and Mark VanZanten of Living Democracy and members of Indivisible Mid-Ohio Valley — and spoke with them for several minutes before heading inside.

Cook and VanZanten said they were surprised when Ramaswamy, a Republican, walked over.

“He was pulling into the event, and then he just saw us out here, and he wanted to come and say, ‘Hey, what’s up?'” VanZanten said.

The group questioned him on issues including immigration enforcement, rural health care access and public education. Several expressed disagreement with his stances on health services.

Ramaswamy emphasized affordability, education reforms and energy development as his priorities in the race.

He also reiterated support for school choice while noting that rural counties like Noble often have no alternative schools available.