Ohio’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Amy Acton, has condemned an attack advertisement released by her Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy, describing it as “despicable” for featuring her estranged mother without addressing their painful family history.
Acton criticised the advertisement at a campaign event on Wednesday, arguing that it crossed a line by bringing her family into the political contest.
“I’ve never attacked his family. I would never do that,” she said, referring to Ramaswamy.
The advertisement features Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her daughter of having lied throughout her life. However, it does not mention that Arthur’s husband was charged with raping Acton when she was a child, or that Acton and her brother were subsequently removed from their mother’s custody.
The advert has sparked widespread criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike, raising questions about the boundaries of political campaigning ahead of Ohio’s gubernatorial election on 3 November.
A painful family history at the centre of the controversy
According to Acton’s campaign, the last time she saw her mother was in a courtroom in 1978, following the indictment of her stepfather.
Her stepfather fled Ohio before standing trial and was never prosecuted. He died in 2004, while Arthur left the state with him.
In a separate advertisement released earlier this week, Acton’s brother described the abuse they experienced as children and criticised Ramaswamy for turning sexual assault into “a political talking point”.
Acton also highlighted the broader impact of the controversy, noting that many people have experienced trauma and abuse in their lives.
The campaign advertisement has drawn particular scrutiny because it presents Arthur’s accusations against her daughter without providing the family circumstances that have shaped their estrangement.
Trump defends Ramaswamy and urges him to continue
President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Ramaswamy, defended the advertisement on social media on Thursday.
Trump blamed the media for the backlash and praised both Arthur and Ramaswamy. He also criticised Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, who has endorsed Ramaswamy.
The president urged the Republican candidate to continue his attacks, using inflammatory language to describe Acton and her mother.
In the advertisement itself, Arthur repeatedly accuses her daughter of lying and says she “needs help”. The advert does not discuss allegations that Acton cheated or stole, despite Trump’s broader claims in his social media post.
Trump’s intervention has further intensified the political dispute, placing the controversy at the centre of the Ohio governor’s race.
Republicans question the campaign’s strategy
The advertisement has also provoked criticism within Ramaswamy’s own party.
DeWine reportedly described it as deeply troubling and called for it to be withdrawn, raising concerns about its potential political consequences.
Former Republican Ohio congressman Jim Renacci warned on social media that the controversy could seriously damage the Republican campaign. He argued that party members who failed to distance themselves from the advertisement risked suffering reputational harm as well.
Vice-President JD Vance took a different position, urging Republicans to stop “whining” about the advert and saying he was disgusted by criticism from within his party.
The Columbus Dispatch, a local Ohio newspaper, endorsed Acton after the advertisement was released, describing it as “revolting and unsettling”.
Meanwhile, MK Pritzker, the wife of Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, announced a $500,000 donation to support Acton’s campaign.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose also said his office was reviewing complaints about the advertisement. The complaints concern whether it initially aired without a legally required disclaimer identifying who paid for it.
Ramaswamy subsequently took responsibility for the advert on social media and said his campaign would spend $4 million to broadcast it across Ohio.
Could the controversy affect the election?
Acton and Ramaswamy are competing to succeed DeWine, who cannot seek another term, in the 3 November midterm election.
A VoteHub poll released on Thursday placed Acton one percentage point ahead of Ramaswamy, although the result was within the margin of error. The surveys were conducted before the
