NewzCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has denounced a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of Dr. Amy Acton, taking sides with the Democratic candidate for governor and former member of his Cabinet over her Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy.At a gathering with reporters at the Ohio Statehouse, DeWine called the ad “deeply, deeply troubling.”“It's wrong to run this ad,” he said.
“I would urge Ramaswamy's campaign to take this down.”The Ramaswamy campaign did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.The term-limited DeWine’s remarks place him at odds with Ramaswamy, who he's endorsed to succeed him. Senate appear far tighter than expected in a state Donald Trump won handily three times. The video features Acton’s birth mother, Donna Arthur, calling her “a liar” and insinuating she has mental health issues.Acton, Ohio’s COVID-era health director, has made no secret of facing homelessness and abuse as a child.
Arthur lost custody of her children after their stepfather was indicted for raping Acton. Acton's campaign on Tuesday posted a video of her brother who supported her backstory about living in a tent and being abused.Republican Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio native son, expressed disgust during an Ohio campaign swing Wednesday with Republicans “whining” about the ad as low and in poor taste. Jon Husted — in a tight retention race against Democrat Sherrod Brown — has said he would not have run the ad, as has Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who is running for state auditor.Another influential Ohio Republican, former U.S.
Jim Renacci, posted a lengthy essay on X overnight, suggesting that “the floor may have just fallen out from under the Republican campaign for Ohio Governor” and urging every Republican to distance themselves from it.Nikki Haley, who sparred with Ramaswamy during the 2024 Republican presidential primary over the personal nature of his attacks, called him “a bad guy” in a social media post Tuesday. “It’s a shame he continues to get away wit… At a gathering with reporters at the Statehouse in Columbus, DeWine called the ad “deeply, deeply troubling.” “It’s wrong to run this ad,” he said.
“I would urge Ramaswamy’s campaign to take this down.” DeWine’s remarks place him at odds with Ramaswamy, whom he has endorsed. The biotech entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate has taken responsibility for the 60-second video, which has drawn bipartisan rebukes, and is spending $4 million to broadcast it online and on TV. Vice President JD Vance defended an ad Wednesday which spotlights the abuse Acton experienced as a child.
During a campaign visit to Ohio, Vance told reporters he was “disgusted” by fellow Republicans who were pushing back against the ad, then later drew cheers at a political rally when he defended Ramaswamy. Vance said he has watched Democrats “throw every dirty trick in the political book at Vivek,” who he considers a close personal friend — including calling him a ‘murderer’ — while “the whole time Vivek has stood tall and talked about what he wants to accomplish.” In the ad, Acton’s birth mother, Donna Arthur, calls her daughter “a liar” and insinuates that she has mental health issues. Police and court records show Cledith Arthur was arrested and charged with the rape of his stepdaughter, then 12, in July 1978, after Acton’s biological father reported him to authorities.
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