Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s team has confirmed the production of a controversial advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic rival in Ohio’s gubernatorial race. Despite bipartisan criticism for delving into Amy Acton’s painful past, the campaign plans to spend $4 million to promote the ad. This development injects a deeply personal dimension into one of the nation’s most closely watched and expensive state campaigns. The controversial video, unveiled by the political blog The Rooster, has sparked a backlash from Democrats who view it as a desperate ploy on Ramaswamy’s part.
Over 676,000 Ohioans have already cast their votes ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. The advertisement showcases Acton’s birth mother, Donna Arthur, labeling Acton as “a liar” and hinting at mental health issues. Arthur lost custody of her children after her stepfather was charged with raping Acton. Acton, a former public health director in Ohio, has openly spoken about her childhood experiences of homelessness and abuse.
Ramaswamy’s campaign clarified that Acton’s mother was not compensated for her appearance in the one-minute video, which will be disseminated online and on television. The ad’s origins initially remained unclear as it circulated online without the necessary legal disclosures for television broadcasting. Acton’s campaign swiftly condemned the ad, with her brother, Philip Stearns, asserting that they were removed from their mother’s custody due to abuse.
Notable Republicans, including Donald Trump Jr. and influencer Laura Loomer, have endorsed Ramaswamy’s video, while others, including pundit Meghan McCain, have criticized it as “dastardly.” The Columbus Dispatch, in an editorial endorsing Acton for governor, condemned the ad as “revolting and unsettling.” The newspaper decried the smear tactics employed by Republicans, contrasting it with the party’s support for Rep. Max Miller, who faces allegations of child and spousal abuse.
The controversy surrounding the advertisement has drawn widespread condemnation, with many calling out Ramaswamy for his campaign tactics. Casey Putsch, a former Republican primary candidate, announced his support for Acton in response to the ad, labeling it as “pretty damn low.” Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur with no prior political experience, has received endorsements from high-profile figures like former President Donald Trump.
