Trump Backs Ramaswamy Ad as Ohio Governor Calls for Its Removal

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign brought Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother into Ohio's gubernatorial race through an advertisement challenging her daughter's credibility. The mother, Donna Arthur, calls Acton a "liar" and urges Ohioans not to vote for her, according to the New York Post.

The family history is central to the backlash. Acton says she and her mother have been estranged since she was abused as a child by her stepfather, NPR Politics reported. NYT Politics reported that the estrangement dates to her stepfather being charged with child rape. A charge is not a finding of guilt.

Ramaswamy's team confirmed it produced the advertisement, according to CBC Top Stories. The campaign said it would spend $4 million airing it before next month's election, Forbes reported.

On October 21, criticism included objections from Ramaswamy's own party. Rep. Nancy Mace called the advertisement "shameful" and said she thought it would hurt Republicans up and down the Ohio ballot, according to The Hill.

Vice President JD Vance defended Ramaswamy that day, telling Republicans to "stop whining" about the advertisement if they wanted to win, NBC News reported. In Cincinnati, Vance said whether the spot was appropriate was "not really my concern" and emphasized supporting Republican candidates, according to NDTV Top Stories.

On October 22, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called on Ramaswamy to stop airing it, NBC News reported. "It's wrong to run this ad," DeWine said, according to ABCNews.com.

President Donald Trump then backed the advertisement and rebuked DeWine, according to the Guardian. Trump called it "very powerful" and argued that Acton's mother's comments should "preclude" her election, Forbes reported.

The disagreement also reached beyond Ohio. Iowa GOP Senate candidate Ashley Hinson strongly condemned the advertisement, putting her at odds with Trump, ABC Top Stories reported on October 22.

By October 23, Trump was reiterating his support for Ramaswamy's advertisement, according to The Hill. He has advised the Republican candidate to keep running it, Al Jazeera reported.

The controversy has become a public split between Trump and Vance on one side and critics within Ohio's Republican establishment on the other, as The Hill reported. DeWine's call for removal has not brought agreement within the party: Ramaswamy has doubled down amid bipartisan criticism, according to The Washington Post.

The immediate issue is whether Ramaswamy keeps airing the advertisement despite DeWine's request, with Trump encouraging him to continue. The campaign's stated $4 million advertising commitment makes that a concrete decision about spending and airtime, according to Forbes.

Ohio votes for governor on November 3, according to Fast Company. Mace has warned of damage to other Republican candidates, but the supplied coverage does not establish what effect the controversy has had on voters.