A new attack ad in the Ohio gubernatorial race features the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton repeatedly calling her daughter a liar. The ad, funded by Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, is reportedly costing $4 million.
Acton has previously disclosed that she was sexually abused by her stepfather between the ages of 10 and 12. Police and court documents corroborate this allegation, showing her stepfather was arrested for rape in 1978. He left the state after posting bond and died in 2004 without facing trial. Acton and her mother have not spoken in nearly 50 years, according to both women. In the ad, Acton's mother states her daughter has "lied her entire life" and is unfit to serve as governor. Ramaswamy's campaign has promoted the ad as evidence that Acton is a "serial fabulist."
Critics have labeled the ad "dastardly" and "pretty damn low." The Ohio campaign has seen other negative attacks, with Republicans previously characterizing Acton as "violent" and "unstable." One observer described the tenor of the campaign as "alarming," noting that while Ohio is no stranger to negative ads, this cycle's were markedly more personal.
This trend is not unique to Ohio. Similar tactics have been observed in other races across the country. In Michigan, Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has faced attacks related to his religion. In Texas, Republican attacks on Senate candidate James Talarico have included suggestions about his sexuality and alleged pedophilia.
Research suggests a broader trend of increasing negativity in U.S. political rhetoric. A study analyzing millions of tweets, Facebook posts, and email newsletters from members of Congress between 2009 and 2022 found a consistent rise in partisan and negative communication. While political discourse has been highly contentious throughout U.S. history, the current period is considered by some observers to be the most negative in recent memory.
Factors contributing to this shift include the rhetorical style adopted by former President Donald Trump during his campaigns, which appears to have altered political norms. Social media platforms also play a role, as partisan and negative posts tend to generate higher engagement. Studies indicate that "uncivil" posts on platforms like X, formerly Twitter, garner more attention, and politicians who receive high engagement on such posts are more likely to produce them subsequently. This dynamic may embolden politicians to use controversial tactics, as the resulting outrage can be a source of attention and engagement.