Exclusive: Ramaswamy doubles down on explosive ad featuring rival's mother, despite backlash
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign for Ohio governor is pouring $4 million into a bombshell ad in which his opponent's estranged mother attacks her daughter — doubling down on the message despite fierce bipartisan backlash, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Ramaswamy is gambling that the deeply personal attack by Amy Acton's mother — who Acton has said sided with her stepfather after he sexually…
The Ohio governor's race is heating up as Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign invests $4 million in a controversial ad. The ad features Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, attacking her daughter, doubling down on the message despite widespread bipartisan backlash. The ad, which aired on social media on Monday, depicts Arthur accusing her daughter of lying about her past and urging Ohio voters not to support Acton.
Acton, a physician, claims she was sexually abused by her stepfather at age 12, who later faced criminal charges. She also alleges her mother supported him throughout. Acton and her brother have distanced themselves from Ramaswamy, calling his ad "disgusting." Despite the criticism, Ramaswamy's campaign maintains that the ad resonated with persuadable voters and tests well.
The controversy has drawn comparisons to the recent Epstein files scandal, with some Republicans warning that the sexual abuse of children is a sensitive issue that could negatively impact the campaign.
Written by urgent.news from Axios's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
