Ramaswamy defends deeply cynical Ohio governor ad as voters recoil
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Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy admitted his campaign produced a TV spot featuring the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton, triggering backlash from voters and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, even as President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance offered support.
Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said his campaign created a television advertisement that uses Amy Acton’s estranged mother to accuse the Democratic opponent of lying, a move many saw as a crude and calculated hit piece. The ad, first released by an Ohio political blogger, has drawn criticism from voters and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who called it "deeply, deeply troubling." President Donald Trump defended the spot, insisting that a mother’s warning should be allowed in political advertising.
Interviews with Ohio voters after the ad’s release showed a divided reaction. Some independent and moderate voters said the ad was off-putting and said it lowered their opinion of the GOP nominee. One independent voter said the ads were “a real turnoff on both sides.” By contrast, several Republican supporters said they would keep backing Ramaswamy despite discomfort, framing the ad as just another example of the ruthless tactics that now define politics.
Ramaswamy, who previously ran for the Republican presidential nomination, argued that the ad does not address any allegations of childhood or sexual abuse and said voters should be free to judge the content for themselves. He also said his campaign would spend $4 million to keep the spot on the air, underscoring how determined he is to keep leaning into the controversy.
The uproar comes as Ohio, a state President Donald Trump won by 11 points in 2024, could become a crucial battleground in the governor’s race. The result may depend on how many Republican voters stay with Ramaswamy as the election nears, even after the backlash from his own ad.