Republican Ohio gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has faced criticism from within his own party for an attack ad featuring his opponent Amy Acton's estranged mother. Some Republicans described the ad as "pretty damn low" and "extremely risky."
The commercial, which began airing on Monday, features Donna Arthur, Acton's mother, calling her daughter "a liar." Acton, the former director of Ohio's Health Department, has been open about a difficult childhood that included homelessness and sexual abuse.
Casey Putsch, who previously ran against Ramaswamy in the primary, called the ad "pretty damn low" and accused the campaign of manipulating Arthur. Putsch stated he would be voting for Acton. Conservative pundit Scott Jennings characterized the ad as "extremely risky," adding that "to throw out a piece like this at the end of a race is not a confidence-inspiring item."
Meghan McCain, a commentator, stated the ad "never should have been created," and Nikki Haley, a former Republican presidential primary opponent, called Ramaswamy "a bad guy."
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose confirmed his office is investigating complaints about the ad. "I probably wouldn’t run an ad like that, but every candidate gets to make their own decision," LaRose told ABC 6 News.
However, Vice President JD Vance defended Ramaswamy, expressing disgust at fellow Republicans who he said were "whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional Democrats and other Democrats want to do to the United States of America."
Ramaswamy has refused to apologize for the ad and has pledged to spend an additional $4 million to promote it. Acton's campaign responded by providing evidence of her stepfather's indictment on rape charges and released an ad featuring Acton's brother, Phil Stearns, who called Ramaswamy "not fit to lead."