'We Now Deserve to Lose': Ramaswamy Ad Deepens GOP Panic in Ohio
Republicans privately say the ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother has already backfired
Vivek Ramaswamy's gubernatorial campaign in Ohio took a contentious turn on Oct. 18 when he debuted a new ad that featured Amy Acton, his opponent's estranged mother. The move sparked fierce backlash from both Republicans and Democrats, leaving Ohio and national Republicans in a state of confusion and dismay.
Campaigning in Cincinnati, Vice President J.D. Vance defended the ad, treating it as a game-changing October surprise. However, some old-guard Republicans were baffled by Ramaswamy's decision to exploit Acton's childhood trauma, which occurred decades ago. Many predicted the ad would draw empathy and support for Acton from voters, potentially turning them away from Ramaswamy.
The timing of the ad so close to Election Day raised concerns among Republicans, who feared the ad could backfire, especially among women. Recent polls showed Acton leading, but not decisively. A Marist University poll released this week had her up by seven points, yet Ohio's recent history of close elections with large margins in Republican favor could make the ad a risky gambit.
Ramaswamy's campaign allocated $4 million to ensure the ad reached persuadable voters, hoping to sway undecided individuals between the two candidates. However, the potential backlash is significant, with no time to recover from a misstep of this magnitude.
While some Republicans, like Vance, stood by the ad, others, like Republican strategist Mike Murphy, argued it was political suicide. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a frequent critic of Ramaswamy, called him "a bad guy" for his approach.
Acton's campaign responded with an ad of their own, condemning Ramaswamy's attempt to make her childhood a campaign issue after half a century in the past. The Columbus Dispatch also condemned the ad, stating that sexual violence against children should not be politicized.
Acton's brother, Phil Stearns, released a 30-second ad condemning Ramaswamy's exploitation of his sister's past. He expressed shame at Ramaswamy's actions and called him unfit to lead Ohio. The controversy surrounding the ad has put Ramaswamy's campaign in the spotlight, with many questioning whether the risks outweigh the potential benefits.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
