Ohio Republicans Face Voter Backlash Over Ramaswamy Ad
WHO:
The Independent - The ad featured Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who called Acton a “liar.” Arthur lost custody of her children after her late husband was indicted for raping Acton when she was a child; he was never prosecuted on that charge before the couple left the state.
The Independent - Attendees at a Ramaswamy campaign event told the Cincinnati Enquirer they were more concerned about immigration and jobs; Pogue was the only person there opposing the ad.
The Independent - Ramaswamy said the ad was “legitimate” and claimed Acton had been “hiding” from substantive issues affecting Ohioans.
The Independent - Ramaswamy’s campaign lost major endorsements, and venues canceled events amid the ad controversy.
The Independent - Retired teacher Michael Pogue, who taught Vivek Ramaswamy in eighth grade at Princeton Junior High School, called on him to issue a “full retraction and sincere apology” to Amy Acton.
The Independent - Ramaswamy’s first-grade teacher, Mrs. Hendel, publicly praised him, writing, “I always knew you would become the super successful person you are today. I will always be in your court.”
Alternet - The articles identify Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic candidate Amy Acton as the candidates involved in the race.
Alternet - The ad featured Acton’s estranged mother, who called Acton a liar. The article says the public learned that her mother had fled decades earlier with Acton’s sexually abusive stepfather.
Alternet - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican who worked with Acton when she was the state’s health director, said airing the ad was wrong and urged Ramaswamy to stop airing it.
Alternet - President Donald Trump defended the ad. Vice President JD Vance also backed it and told critics to “stop whining.”
Alternet - The article says backlash could affect Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s reelection bid.
NY Post - Conservative activist Heather Higgins discussed Republican ads targeting women and independents on “Pod Force One.”
WHAT:
The Independent - Ramaswamy reunited with his first-grade teacher, Mrs. Hendel, at Shooters Sports Grill and said they would fight for children to receive the best education.
The Independent - Pogue protested at a Ramaswamy campaign event with a banner reading, “Shame on you, Vivek! I taught you better.”
The Independent - Pogue told the Cincinnati Enquirer, “This latest attack on Dr. Acton hits home. I had too many students who were raped.”
The Independent - The Plain Dealer broke its policy against endorsing candidates in major races to endorse Acton for governor. Its editorial board said Ramaswamy’s ad “weaponizes the sexual abuse his opponent, Amy Acton, suffered as a child.”
The Independent - Ramaswamy said, “It is an ad from our campaign,” and said he wanted the election to focus on substantive issues affecting Ohioans.
Alternet - A private poll commissioned by a Republican group found Acton leading Ramaswamy by eight percentage points, compared with a two-point lead less than 10 days earlier.
Alternet - The poll memo warned that the ad “is having a significant effect on the gubernatorial race.” Axios reported that Republicans feared the attack ad could cost them the race.
Newsweek - A new poll suggested the controversial ad persuaded more respondents to support Acton.
Drudge Report - Its headline described a Republican poll as finding that the ad was “backfiring on Ramaswamy.”
Alternet - A campaign source said, “The candidate is the one pushing for it,” and added, “This was not planned. But Vivek got what he wanted. I probably wouldn't have run it.”
Alternet - A GOP operative said, “Vivek's ad put the whole Republican ticket on defense. He better hope Ohio doesn't decide the Senate majority.”
Alternet - Trump wrote, “Who wouldn't use such an Ad? I would, it's called, 'hitting pay dirt.’” He also criticized DeWine’s call to take down the ad.
NY Post - Higgins said women “really object to being told what to think,” adding that a standard Republican ad “kind of hits you over the head with a sledgehammer telling you what to think.”
WHERE:
The Independent - Pogue protested at a Ramaswamy campaign event in Cincinnati.
Alternet - The gubernatorial race and Husted’s Senate reelection bid are in Ohio.
WHEN:
The Independent - The article said the Ohio election was one week away.
WHY:
Alternet - Republicans expressed concern that backlash to the personal attack ad could damage Ramaswamy’s campaign and Husted’s reelection prospects.
NY Post - Higgins said Republican ads may miss the mark with women and independents because women object to being told what to think.
HOW:
The Independent - The Plain Dealer said, “There are moments when a community must decide what it stands for, when its institutions have a duty to speak and when silence itself becomes a statement.”
Alternet - The poll, commissioned by a Republican group and obtained by Axios, compared support before and after the ad began airing. The article says the ad began airing on October 19.
Alternet - Trump defended the ad in a post responding to DeWine’s suggestion that Ramaswamy take it down.
(UPDATED October 29, 2026 10:59 UTC)
A controversial campaign ad targeting Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton featured her estranged mother calling her a liar, drawing condemnation from Republican Governor Mike DeWine and Acton’s former teacher, who protested at a Vivek Ramaswamy campaign event and called for an apology. Ramaswamy defended the ad, while President Trump and Vice President JD Vance backed it; the backlash has cost Ramaswamy endorsements and event venues, and a Republican-commissioned poll found Acton’s lead had widened to eight points. Republicans also worry the dispute could hurt the wider Ohio ticket, including Senator Jon Husted’s reelection bid.
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(UPDATED October 29, 2026 10:01 UTC)
A personal attack ad by Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy against Democrat Amy Acton drew condemnation from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ramaswamy’s former eighth-grade teacher, Michael Pogue, who protested at a Cincinnati campaign event and demanded an apology. A Republican-commissioned poll found Acton leading by eight points, up from a two-point lead less than 10 days earlier, and campaign figures warned the ad could hurt Ramaswamy and Republican Sen. Jon Husted; President Trump defended it, while Vice President JD Vance backed it as well. The Plain Dealer broke its no-endorsement policy to support Acton, saying the ad exploited her childhood abuse, while Ramaswamy said he wanted the campaign focused on substantive issues.
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(UPDATED October 28, 2026 22:02 UTC)
A private Republican poll found Democrat Amy Acton leading Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy by eight points, up from a two-point lead less than 10 days earlier, as the poll memo warned that a personal attack ad was significantly affecting the race. The ad features Acton’s estranged mother calling her a liar; Gov. Mike DeWine condemned it and urged Ramaswamy to stop airing it, while President Trump defended it and Vice President JD Vance told critics to “stop whining.” Republicans fear the backlash could hurt Ramaswamy and Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s reelection bid, while conservative activist Heather Higgins said ads that tell women and independents what to think can miss the mark.