Ramaswamy pulls controversial Ohio ad after poll shows limited impact
The Republican gubernatorial candidate stopped airing a disputed attack ad featuring the mother of Democratic rival Amy Acton, after internal polling indicated it was not helping his campaign.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign announced it has stopped broadcasting a widely criticized attack advertisement that featured Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton. The ad, which accused Acton of lying about her childhood, was withdrawn after the campaign spent about $1 million—far less than the $4 million originally budgeted for a statewide run.
Ramaswamy told supporters in Vandalia that the spot “ran to completion, and we put up four other ads.” A campaign official added that the ad “rotated off like any ad would.”
Internal GOP polling cited by Axios showed the ad had the opposite effect of what the campaign intended: Acton’s lead widened from two points before the ad to eight points afterward, and twice as many respondents said the ad made them more likely to vote for Acton.
The ad drew criticism from Ohio Republican figures, including Senate candidate Jon Husted and Governor Mike DeWine. President Donald Trump and Senate candidate JD Vance defended the ad, with Vance stating he was “a little bit disgusted” by Republicans focusing on the advertisement rather than policy issues.
Acton responded with her own advertisement featuring her brother, Phil Stearns, who described the abuse their family endured and condemned the campaign’s tactics. She later said on a television program that the ad exemplified “cruelty and distraction” in the race.
The decision to pull the ad comes as the campaign continues to run other messaging while the gubernatorial contest remains tight, with recent polls showing Acton leading by seven to eight points.