US Election: Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother splits Republicans

US President Donald Trump is backing Ohio Republican Vivek Ramaswamy as he continues to run a controversial campaign advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic rival, Amy Acton. Trump stated on social media that he would run such an ad himself and called it hitting pay dirt. The tight midterm race for governor of Ohio sees voters heading to the polls on November 3. The advertisement began circulating on social media on Monday. In the clip, Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Amy Acton, calls her daughter a liar and says she has not told the truth about her childhood and past. The commercial also disputes Acton's account of past homelessness and sexual abuse by her stepfather, while urging Ohio voters not to support her. Ramaswamy confirmed on Tuesday that his campaign created the ad and is spending $4 million to promote it. Speaking at a campaign stop on Friday, he defended the spot and stated it centers on honesty rather than the abuse Acton endured as a child. Donald Trump revealed that Ramaswamy called him for advice on the matter, and Trump told him to ride with it.

Republican Division

Prominent Republicans in Ohio and beyond are deeply split over the ad. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called the commercial deeply troubling and asked the campaign to take it down. Trump responded by calling Governor DeWine disloyal to the Republican Party. DeWine, who previously worked with Acton when she led the Ohio Department of Health, stated that in his experience she always told the truth. DeWine also noted he is not changing his endorsement of Ramaswamy despite the dispute. Other GOP figures have voiced opposition as well. Iowa Senate candidate Ashley Hinson said the campaign should pull the ad, noting children should not have to relive trauma. Ohio Senator Jon Husted stated he would not have run the ad, and former Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci urged Ramaswamy to move past it. Meanwhile, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said his office is reviewing complaints to check if the ad broke state laws. Conversely, Vice President JD Vance defended the ad at a campaign event, stating he was disgusted by Republicans complaining about it.

Background

Amy Acton has publicly discussed the abuse she faced and her broken relationship with her mother, stating she has not seen her since 1978. Court papers show her mother's second husband was arrested in July 1978 and charged with raping Acton when she was 12 years old. Acton's brother, Philip Stearns, has publicly backed her account. Acton called the ad despicable and exploitative, while opinion polls show her narrowly ahead in the race to replace term-limited Governor DeWine.

Context

Midterm and gubernatorial elections in the United States often feature aggressive television and social media advertising campaigns designed to sway undecided voters in closely contested states. When internal party disagreements spill into public view during high-stakes races, it highlights the sharp ideological and strategic divisions among party members.