Ohio GOP ad featuring separated mother pulled after spending less than planned
Vivek Ramaswamy ended the campaign spot's run after data showed expenditure was roughly one-fourth of the initial $4 million budget.
By Lucas Navarro ·
Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy removed a controversial attack ad from Ohio television airwaves on Thursday.
The spot featured Donna Arthur, the separated mother of Democratic challenger Dr. Amy Acton. Arthur accused her daughter of being a "serial liar" in the commercial. The two women had not seen each other in nearly 50 years.
Ramaswamy announced the end of the ad's run during a campaign event in Vandalia, Ohio. His campaign initially projected a $4 million budget for the spot. Ad tracking firm AdImpact data indicated the actual spend was approximately $1 million.
The announcement triggered a reaction from politicians across the state and the nation. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance voiced support for the decision to run the ad. Trump told Ramaswamy to keep it on air, stating that Acton was an easy target.
Current and former Ohio governors, along with alumni from Ramaswamy's Catholic high school in Cincinnati, urged him to pull the spot. Acton's campaign called the advertisement despicable and argued it should never have aired. They said Ramaswamy owed an apology.
Arthur lost custody of her children in 1978 after her husband, Acton's stepfather, was accused of sexually assaulting the then 12-year-old girl. Ramaswamy defended the ad despite releasing a later cut version with some parts removed.
