Vivek Ramaswamy attack ad is so reviled that even CNN’s Scott Jennings blasted it — and Vance’s defense of it

Republican criticism is mounting against Vivek Ramaswamy, the GOP candidate for Ohio governor, over a commercial aimed at his Democratic rival, Amy Acton. The spot features Donna Arthur, Acton's estranged mother, calling her daughter a liar. It never mentions the family history behind their rift: Arthur's husband, Cledith Arthur, was indicted on a rape charge involving Acton, and the couple left Ohio. He was never prosecuted. Arthur denies he abused Acton, who has spoken publicly about childhood sexual abuse and homelessness, according to The Independent.

Governor Mike DeWine called the ad deeply troubling and asked Ramaswamy to pull it, though he kept his endorsement. Cabinet member Lydia Mihalik, Senator Jon Husted, Meghan McCain and Nikki Haley also objected, and a Mike Lee strategist, Dan Hauser, apologized for sharing it. Anonymous Republican strategists told TIME the move was a blunder so close to the election. Acton's campaign called featuring her mother a despicable low.

Vice President JD Vance stood by the ad and said he was disgusted by Republicans complaining about it. On CNN, Scott Jennings countered that Republicans were issuing a warning, not whining, and predicted the ad would backfire.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →