Vance backs Ramaswamy’s Ohio ad despite backlash; state officials review complaints

Key points

• Vice President JD Vance praised Ramaswamy for the ad, calling it a 'call out' of Acton, and dismissed criticism as 'whining.'
• Ramaswamy is spending $4 million to amplify the ad, which features Acton’s mother accusing her daughter of lying about her past.
• Acton, who has not spoken to her mother in nearly 50 years, called the ad 'horrible and hideous' and released a counter-ad featuring her brother.
• Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose confirmed his office is reviewing complaints about the ad, but declined to comment on specifics.
• The ad has sparked bipartisan backlash, with some Republicans, including Sen. Jon Husted, saying they would not have run it.

Background

The Ohio gubernatorial race between Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton has become a key battleground in the 2026 midterms, with the race shifting from 'leans Republican' to 'toss-up' in the final weeks. The controversy over the ad has intensified the race, with both campaigns releasing counter-ads and engaging in a heated exchange. The ad has also drawn attention to the broader issue of political violence and the use of personal trauma in campaign advertising.

How outlets are covering it

The Washington Post and The New York Times both reported on the backlash and Vance’s defense of the ad, but the Post emphasized the bipartisan nature of the criticism, while the NYT focused on Vance’s dismissal of the criticism as 'whining.' WSYX and ABC News both reported on the state’s review of complaints, but WSYX focused on the process, while ABC News highlighted Vance’s praise for Ramaswamy’s 'audacity.' All four outlets agreed on the basic facts, but differed in their emphasis and framing of the story.

Why it matters

The controversy over the ad has the potential to influence the outcome of the Ohio gubernatorial race, which is a key battleground in the 2026 midterms. The ad has also drawn attention to the broader issue of political violence and the use of personal trauma in campaign advertising, and has sparked a debate about the ethics of political advertising. The state’s review of complaints could also have implications for the regulation of political advertising in the future.

What to watch

The Ohio Secretary of State’s office is expected to issue a disposition on the complaints within a month or two. Ramaswamy and Acton are expected to continue their campaign, with both sides likely to release more ads and engage in a heated exchange. The outcome of the Ohio gubernatorial race will be a key indicator of the balance of power in Congress and the broader political landscape in 2026.