'This is despicable': Amy Acton responds to Ohio attack ad featuring her estranged mother
Her Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy is airing the ad featuring her mother, whose husband was charged with sexual abuse in her childhood.
Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, has denounced a Republican opponent's attack ad featuring her estranged mother as "despicable". Vivek Ramaswamy, Ramaswamy's ad claims Acton "lied her entire life", but omits the fact that her husband was charged with raping her as a child and that she and her brother were taken from her custody.
The ad has sparked backlash and increased national attention on the gubernatorial race. Acton, Ramaswamy, and Governor Mike DeWine, who endorses Ramaswamy, are vying to replace DeWine in the November midterm election. DeWine has called the ad "deeply troubling" and urged its removal. Acton reportedly hasn't seen her mother since 1978, after her stepfather was indicted.
Ramaswamy's campaign has spent $4 million on the ad, which aired without a required disclaimer. The Columbus Dispatch endorsed Acton, calling the ad "revolting and unsettling." Former Republican Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci noted the ad could cost the Republican campaign. MK Pritzker, wife of Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, pledged $500,000 to support Acton.
Trump remarked on the mother-daughter relationship, while Vice-President Kamala Harris expressed disgust at the criticism. A recent poll shows Acton leading Ramaswamy by 1% in the race.
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