“The right to repair your own private property is under attack,” Ohio gubernatorial candidate Casey Putsch said, arguing that manufacturers are increasingly limiting owners’ ability to fix their own vehicles and equipment. Putsch, a self-described “America First candidate for Ohio governor,” made the remarks in campaign posts and media appearances as part of a broader pitch centered on vehicle ownership and consumer control.
In a campaign post, Putsch said manufacturers want consumers to “drag your truck, your car, your tractor to the dealership for the smallest job you could do in your own driveway.” He argued that subscription-based software, dealership-only diagnostics and remote vehicle controls limit true ownership. “That’s not convenience at all. That’s control,” he wrote, adding that he would prioritize right-to-repair protections if elected.
The Right to Repair is one of our most important American rights, and it’s under silent attack right now.
— Casey Putsch for Ohio Governor (@CaseyPutschOhio) February 12, 2026
They want to make you to drag your truck, your car, your tractor to the dealership for the smallest job you could do in your own driveway. That’s not convenience AT ALL.… pic.twitter.com/Uq25HK1LQN
Putsch expanded on those views during an appearance on Tucker Carlson’s podcast, pointing to disputes between farm equipment manufacturers and farmers over repair access. “The right to repair your own private property is under attack,” Putsch said, citing situations in which owners must use proprietary software available only through authorized dealers. He said such policies force consumers to rely on manufacturers for basic service and reduce individual control over property.
During the same interview, Putsch described his custom diesel vehicle as an example of what he says is possible outside major automakers. He said he designed the car to demonstrate that high fuel efficiency and strong performance could be combined in a vehicle affordable to consumers. Putsch said he built the car more than a decade ago but initially lacked a platform to promote it. “If the world doesn’t know it exists and nobody hears about it, it doesn’t exist,” he said.
100 MPG & 0-60 in under 5 seconds: the best car you’ve never heard of. https://t.co/5Yv85Rh034 pic.twitter.com/gF6gDX7ktX
— Tucker Carlson Network (@TCNetwork) August 29, 2025
Putsch has built an online following through automotive content and political commentary on YouTube, which he says he uses to reach voters and promote his policy priorities. His campaign argues that repair restrictions affect not only drivers but also farmers and small business owners who rely on equipment for their livelihoods, framing the issue as both an economic and property-rights concern, according to his campaign statements.
