Ramaswamy faces expanding blowback over Acton attack ad
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Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
As Vivek Ramaswamy doubles down on his controversial ad attacking Amy Acton, backlash has grown to include Democrats, Republicans and political commentators across the country.
Why it matters: Ohio's gubernatorial race is projected to be a tight one — Ramaswamy's ad is garnering enough negative attention that it could affect the result.
Catch up quick: The ad, first obtained by The Rooster political blog, features Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her daughter of lying about her childhood and urging Ohioans not to vote for her.
- Acton has said she was sexually abused at age 12 by her stepfather, who faced criminal charges, and that her mother sided with him.
- Acton and her brother were removed from their mother's custody. According to her brother, their mother remained married to Acton's alleged abuser until his death.
State of play: Within 24 hours of the ad's appearance Tuesday, the Columbus Dispatch endorsed Acton, calling it "revolting and unsettling."
- The Akron Beacon Journal followed suit.
- Cleveland.com's "Today in Ohio" hosts called it "vicious" and said it "dooms Ramaswamy."
The latest: Continued blowback to the ad has been significant, especially from Democrats in Ohio.
- Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said Ramaswamy's decision to "exploit the abuse" Acton suffered was "an appalling display of cruelty."
- U.S. Senate candidate Sherrod Brown called it "disgusting."
Yes, but: Criticism has crossed the aisle.
- Ohio Department of Development director Lydia Mihalik, a Republican and member of Gov. Mike DeWine's cabinet, said the ad was a line "we shouldn't cross."
- Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose told WSYX he "probably wouldn't run an ad like that" and U.S. Sen. Jon Husted told AP the same.
- Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley called Ramaswamy "a bad guy," while CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings called it "extremely risky" and "not a confidence-inspiring item."
Vice President JD Vance, however, downplayed the ad's content.
- "I'm a little bit disgusted when I see Republicans across the country who are whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional Democrats and other Democrats want to do to the United States of America."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional Republican reactions.