Ramaswamy faces backlash over attack ad featuring rival's estranged mother
Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 26 Oct, 21:32 · Archive
Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is facing bipartisan backlash over an advertisement featuring the estranged mother of Democratic rival Amy Acton.
Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is facing significant backlash over a 30-second campaign advertisement released last week. The spot features Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, calling her daughter a 'liar' and urging Ohio residents not to vote for her. Acton has not spoken to Arthur in decades.
The advertisement has drawn intense bipartisan criticism. Former President Barack Obama campaigned with Acton in Ohio on Saturday, stating of Ramaswamy: 'In recent days, we've seen there is no line he will not cross, no low he will not sink to.' Obama noted that Acton had 'spoken movingly about her painful childhood and all she's experienced: abuse, neglect and homelessness,' and called for higher standards of behaviour from public officials.
Obama shared the stage with Acton and former three-term Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, who is seeking re-election against Republican Senator Jon Husted. Obama also campaigned in Michigan on Saturday night.
Ramaswamy has defended the advertisement as 'legitimate.' President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have also rallied to his defence. However, Ohio Republican leaders, including Governor Mike DeWine, have called for the ad's removal. On Sunday, The Plain Dealer, Ohio's largest newspaper, broke with its longstanding policy against endorsing candidates in major races to back Acton for governor, describing the advertisement as 'weaponiz[ing] the sexual abuse his opponent, Amy Acton, suffered as a child.'
The Ramaswamy campaign has also experienced operational setbacks. Several Ohio venues have scrapped plans to host campaign events in recent days, including Old Dog Ale House & Brewery in Delaware, which cancelled an event scheduled to feature him on Friday. The controversy emerges as the race remains tight with less than two weeks until Election Day.
How it is being reported
- Jittery venues nuke Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign tour as backlash swells over estranged mom adVenues are reportedly opting out of hosting events for Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.Daily Mail · 26 Oct, 15:46
- Vivek Ramaswamy’s Ohio gov bid in chaos as allies and venues drop him over Acton attack adOn Sunday, Ohio’s largest newspaper broke with its policy against endorsing candidates in major races to back Ramaswamy’s opponentIndependent World · 26 Oct, 15:12
- In Ohio rally, Obama blasts Ramaswamy, GOP over controversial Acton adFormer President Barack Obama took aim at gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who has doubled down on an advertising campaign featuring the estranged mother of Democratic rival Amy Acton.CBS News · 25 Oct, 01:34
- Trump, Vance defend controversial Ramaswamy attack ad; Obama campaigns with Amy ActonAn ad released by Ohio's Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has drawn bipartisan backlash. Olivia Gazis has more.CBS News · 24 Oct, 19:29
In this story: Vivek Ramaswamy · Amy Acton · Donald Trump · JD Vance · Barack Obama · Mike DeWine · Ohio · The Plain Dealer
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log
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