With the Ohio 1st Congressional District race entering its final stretch, the “Ruthless” podcast raised concerns about Rep. Greg Landsman’s (D‑Ohio) financial holdings. In a Wednesday morning episode, co‑host Comfortably Smug asked, “How are you allowed to hold that [fund] as an elected official in this country?” The hosts called the disclosure “stunning.”

Financial disclosure reveals China‑linked ETF

Ohio News previously reported that Landsman and his wife reported between $30,001 and $100,000 in the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF on their 2022 financial disclosure. The Department of Defense has identified several companies held by the fund as Chinese military companies.

Potential national‑security impact

Podcast co‑host Josh Holmes explained why the holding could matter for national security. “The Pentagon puts out a list every year of companies that are associated with national‑security threats,” Holmes said. “If a company wants a federal contract and it holds stock in those companies, it can be barred from contracting. Yet a congressperson can still own the fund.”

Landsman’s response and compliance effort

Landsman’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, a 2025 press release indicated that Landsman sold all of his stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs to comply with the TRUST in Congress Act, stating, “I wanted to be one of the first members of Congress to comply with this legislation – even before it becomes law – because people see a system that’s broken, and I’m determined to be part of the generation that fixes it.”

Election context

Landsman faces Republican challenger Eric Conroy in the November general election for Ohio’s 1st District, which covers the southwestern part of the state. Fox News’ latest rankings list the race as “likely Democratic,” while Republicans view the seat as a chance to expand their narrow majority in the House.

Ohio voters will also decide a competitive U.S. Senate race and a hotly contested gubernatorial election, making the Buckeye State a focal point for national attention this midterm cycle.

Broader implications

The discussion underscores a growing emphasis on financial transparency for elected officials, especially regarding investments that could intersect with national‑security concerns. While Landsman has taken steps to divest, the episode illustrates how voters and media outlets are scrutinizing candidates’ financial ties as part of the broader midterm narrative.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.