Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor confirmed on October 20 and 21 that it produced and will spend four million dollars airing a controversial attack advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic rival, Amy Acton. The confirmation followed widespread circulation of the video and immediate condemnation from Acton’s family.
The advertisement includes statements from Acton’s mother making personal claims about the Democratic candidate. Acton and her brother publicly responded to the video, stating that Acton was removed from her mother’s home as a child and has had minimal contact with her since. Both siblings condemned what they described as the exploitation of a painful family situation for political gain.
The Ramaswamy campaign defended the advertisement. Ramaswamy told reporters it featured people “who appear to know her the best,” according to The Columbus Dispatch. The campaign said it planned a four-million-dollar advertising investment. The advertisement had not aired on TV or cable but had spread widely on social media, according to CBS News.
Family Response and Campaign Context
Acton and her brother publicly addressed the advertisement. Her brother stated that Acton was removed from their mother’s custody as a child and condemned the campaign’s use of family estrangement, calling it a “despicable low.” Acton has pointed to her record as Ohio’s former public health commissioner under Republican Governor Mike DeWine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state Republican Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to CBS News. Recent polling has shown Acton leading in the race, according to reports.
