Confusion Over Ohio Billboard in Times Square
Are you planning to relocate to Ohio? It seems some people in New York are scratching their heads over that question.
A construction worker, Leroy Lewis, 44, openly questioned the message of a billboard he saw in Times Square, which encouraged residents to move to Ohio. “Why are we moving to Ohio? We live in New York,” he said, clearly perplexed.
Another passerby near 48th Street and Seventh Avenue expressed disbelief, commenting, “Actual F-K?”
This baffling billboard appeared on Monday, intended to support Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio, but it seems the design was more confusing than inspiring for onlookers. Many New Yorkers and visitors found the billboard’s visuals misleading, drawing comparisons to Cleveland’s less endearing nickname.
The billboard was divided into two sections, displaying a portrayal of what it termed “radical socialist” candidate Zohran Mamdani, asking if he was “ready to escape from NYC.” The other side showcased Ramaswamy’s smiling face, paired with the urging message to “Move to Ohio!”
However, it appears that many missed the billboard’s intent, particularly as it aimed to invite New Yorkers to consider moving due to concerns over the left-leaning mayoral candidate. For much of the day, the full message was obscured as the billboard was partially wrapped, preventing a clear view of both candidates together.
Despite the unclear messaging, spectators didn’t seem keen on Ohio as a destination. “What is Ohio? Why are you going there?” questioned 18-year-old Mary Kennedy, visiting from Houston. “I’m not thinking about Ohio. We’re just passing through it. That’s not where you go,” she added.
Ricardo H., who works in finance, scoffed at the billboard’s dual messages. “No, absolutely not, it looks like a smear campaign,” he remarked.
Interestingly, the only Ohio native spotted in Times Square was Sammy Anderson, 23, a college football player from Dayton. He shared that he’d encourage people to consider moving to rural states, saying, “Everything is so close.” He noted his experiences in New York City, stating, “I’m so over-stimulated,” emphasizing how different life can be back home.
