Ramaswamy Drops Controversial Ohio Ad After Polls Show Backlash
Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has stopped airing a controversial television ad featuring the estranged mother of his opponent, Democrat Amy Acton. The spot, which cost $4 million, featured Donna Arthur accusing Acton of lying about her past, including allegations of childhood sexual abuse. While the ad drew bipartisan condemnation, including from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended it. Recent polling suggests the ad backfired, widening Acton's lead in the race.
Key points
- Ramaswamy's campaign confirmed the ad ran to completion and was replaced by four other spots, though Acton's team criticized the removal as cowardly.
- A private Republican poll found Acton leading Ramaswamy by eight points, up from a two-point lead before the ad aired, with 86% of respondents aware of the controversy.
- The ad featured Donna Arthur, who lost custody of her children in 1978 after her husband was charged with sexually abusing Acton, who was then 12.
- Trump and Vance defended the ad, with Trump calling criticism 'unfair' and Vance telling critics to 'stop whining,' while DeWine and Sen. Jon Husted condemned it.
- Ramaswamy shifted focus to policy, announcing a plan to investigate localities where property taxes have doubled since the pandemic.
Background
The Ohio gubernatorial race between Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton has been described as the 'ugliest' contest in the 2026 election, marked by nasty attack ads. The controversy over the mother ad escalated in late October, with internal resistance within the Republican Party to running the spot. Earlier coverage highlighted the ad's impact on other Ohio races, including the Senate bid of Jon Husted, and the broader debate over acceptable political discourse.
How outlets are covering it
The Columbus Dispatch and The Washington Post report on the ad's removal and the campaign's response, noting the $4 million investment and the replacement with other ads. Axios highlights the polling data showing the ad backfired, with a Republican group's survey indicating Acton's lead widened. Reason Magazine provides a critical perspective, emphasizing the moral implications of the ad and the defense by Trump and Vance, contrasting it with the condemnation from other Republicans like DeWine. The sources agree on the ad's content and the backlash but differ in emphasis, with Axios focusing on the electoral impact and Reason on the ethical dimensions.
Why it matters
The ad's removal and the subsequent polling suggest that the controversy may have cost Ramaswamy support in a close race. The reaction from national Republican leaders, particularly Trump and Vance, highlights a divide within the party over the limits of political attack ads. The outcome of the Ohio race could influence control of the Senate, making the ad's impact significant beyond the gubernatorial contest.
What to watch
The campaign will continue with other ads, and Ramaswamy will focus on policy issues like property taxes. The election is scheduled for November 3, and the impact of the ad on voter sentiment will be assessed in the final results. National Republican operatives are monitoring the situation for potential effects on other Ohio races.
- Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring Amy Acton's mother stops airing in Ohio The Columbus Dispatch
- Ramaswamy takes down explosive ad featuring his opponent’s mother The Washington Post
- Ramaswamy's Attack on Amy Acton Was Bad Enough. Trump and Vance Made It Worse. Yahoo
- How the Most Ruthless Ad of the Midterms Divided Republicans The New York Times
- Exclusive: Controversial ad backfiring on Ramaswamy, GOP poll finds Axios
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