Republican congresswoman blasts Vivek Ramaswamy's Ohio ad as a cruel smear
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Representative Nancy Mace denounced a recent television ad from Vivek Ramaswamy's Ohio gubernatorial campaign as "shameful" and "disgusting," while Vice President JD Vance rushed to defend the attack ad.
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign for Ohio governor released a television advertisement that uses the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton to attack her daughter and paint her as dishonest. The ad drew criticism even from members of Ramaswamy's own party, underscoring how ugly and degrading the race has become. Representative Nancy Mace said, "This ad is going to go down as the most shameful, disgusting, offensive ad this election season," and added, "I just can’t believe that this is what passes for decency in this election."
Acton's campaign responded by calling the ad despicable and issued a clarification saying Acton was sexually abused by her stepfather and removed from her mother's custody at age 12. Vice President JD Vance defended Ramaswamy, saying the candidate "had the audacity to run a TV commercial which calls it out like it is."
The controversy comes less than two weeks before the midterm elections, as campaign tactics grow more aggressive across the country.