Ohio Gubernatorial Race Turns Ugly: Attack Ad Featuring Candidate’s Estranged Mother Sparks Bipartisan Outrage

Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate running for governor of Ohio, has condemned a campaign ad from her Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy that features her estranged mother, calling the tactic “despicable.”

Acton addressed the controversial advertisement during a campaign stop on Wednesday, stating: “This is despicable, what he’s done.” The ad includes footage of Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, who alleges that Acton “lied her entire life.” However, the advertisement omits crucial context regarding the family’s history, including the fact that Arthur’s late husband was charged with raping Acton during her childhood, leading to Acton and her brother being removed from Arthur’s custody.

The release of the ad has generated widespread condemnation from political figures across party lines. On Thursday, President Donald Trump came to Ramaswamy’s defense, praising both the candidate and Arthur in a lengthy social media post while simultaneously criticizing Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who has endorsed Ramaswamy but reportedly described the ad as “deeply troubling” and called for its removal.

The gubernatorial race between Acton and Ramaswamy is set for the November 3rd midterm elections, with both candidates vying to replace outgoing Governor Mike DeWine.

Signaling potential damage to Ramaswamy’s campaign, former Ohio Governor Bob Taft and other prominent Republicans have distanced themselves from the attack ad. DeWine’s reported criticism of the ad suggests a possible rift within the state’s Republican establishment.

“I’ve never attacked his family. I would never do that,” Acton said regarding Ramaswamy during her Wednesday evening campaign event. She emphasized the broader implications of such campaign tactics, noting: “You can see that there are so many people who have experienced trauma and abuse in their lives,” in reference to the ad’s fallout.

According to Acton’s campaign, the last time she saw her mother was in a 1978 courtroom following her stepfather’s indictment on charges of childhood sexual assault. Arthur’s husband had fled the state before facing trial, was never prosecuted, and passed away in 2004. Arthur subsequently left with him, severing ties with her children.

In response, Acton released her own ad featuring her brother, who recounted their childhood experiences with abuse and criticized Ramaswamy for exploiting sexual assault as “a political talking point.”

Trump, who has endorsed Ramaswamy, attributed the negative public reaction to the ad to media bias in a lengthy post where he praised Arthur’s assertions. He urged Ramaswamy to continue his attacks, writing: “let everyone listen to the mother of a defective, dishonest, and incapable Candidate, explain how the daughter is a DISASTER who, uncontrollably, lies, cheats, and steals!” Trump also expressed a wish that “the mothers of my opponents would be so brave as to come forward and explain that their son or daughter is a liar, and much worse.”

In contrast to Trump’s characterization, the actual ad features Arthur repeatedly claiming that Acton lies and asserting she “needs help,” without making accusations of cheating or stealing.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose confirmed that his office is investigating complaints regarding Ramaswamy’s ad, which may have initially aired without the legally required disclaimer identifying who funded it.

Ramaswamy acknowledged responsibility for the ad the day after its release and announced plans to invest $4 million (£3 million) in broadcasting it statewide.

The editorial board of The Columbus Dispatch, a local Ohio news outlet, endorsed Acton following the ad’s release, describing it as “revolting and unsettling.” Former Republican Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci echoed similar concerns on Thursday, writing on X: “The floor may have just fallen out from under the Republican campaign for Ohio Governor. And any Republican who fails to distance themselves from this ad risks taking on water as well.”

MK Pritzker, wife of Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, announced on Wednesday her intention to donate $500,000 to support Acton’s campaign in the upcoming election.

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