Ohio gubernatorial candidate's ad targeting Amy Acton draws criticism from state Republicans
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign aired a television advertisement that references Amy Acton's personal history, prompting condemnation from Ohio officials and raising concerns about its impact on the upcoming Senate race.
Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy aired a television advertisement that includes a statement from Amy Acton's birth mother, who has been estranged from Acton since she was 12. The ad references Acton's allegations that her stepfather sexually abused her as a child, a case that later resulted in the stepfather's indictment for rape and his flight from the state.
State officials responded critically. Governor Mike DeWine said it was "wrong to run this ad" and urged Ramaswamy to withdraw it. Secretary of State Frank LaRose indicated he would not "run an ad like that." Former Senator Rob Portman and former Representative Jim Renacci also condemned the advertisement, with Renacci commenting that it could undermine the Republican campaign for Ohio governor.
Senator Jon Husted, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, issued a statement that he "would not have run that ad," distancing his campaign from the controversy. The Ohio Senate race is considered pivotal for control of the Senate, and analysts suggest that negative fallout from the ad could affect voter perceptions of Republican candidates statewide.
The Trump administration, represented by President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, has not publicly commented on the ad, while the broader political environment remains focused on the upcoming midterm elections and other closely watched Senate contests, including those in Alaska and Texas.