Axios

Republicans fear that Vivek Ramaswamy's explosive attack ad featuring his opponent's estranged mother could cost them the Ohio governor's race, based on new internal polling that shows him falling further behind, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The poll's findings underscore Republicans' anxiety over Ramaswamy's decision to air the deeply personal attack on Democrat Amy Acton despite warnings from some fellow Republicans that it crossed a line.

Dolores Huerta, the pioneering labor organizer who co-founded the United Farm Workers and coined the rallying cry "Sí, se puede," died Wednesday at 96, her family announced on her Instagram account.

Why it matters: The civil rights legend helped lead strikes and boycotts, fought to expand rights for Hispanic Americans and became a powerful kingmaker in politics.

With less than a week until a potentially historic midterm election, the political discourse is being dominated not by war or seismic shifts in technology, but by the Cheesecake Factory.

The big picture: Culture wars regularly swarm American political discussions, especially when the jibes are personal.