Ramaswamy campaign ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother draws criticism from both parties

An online ad in the Ohio governor's race began circulating on the night of Oct. 19. In it, Donna Arthur, the long estranged mother of Democratic nominee Amy Acton, calls her daughter "a liar" and suggests she has mental health problems, the Associated Press reported. The ad first appeared without the legally required paid for line.

Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy confirmed on Oct. 20 that it was "an ad from our campaign," CBS News reported, and his campaign defended its content. A later AP report said he would spend millions of dollars to promote it.

Acton said she was removed from her mother's custody at 12 because of abuse and neglect. A statement from her brother, Philip Stearns, said the two were removed after their mother's husband was indicted for raping Acton as a child. Police and court records reviewed by the AP show the husband, Cledith Arthur, was charged in 1978; he pleaded not guilty, failed to appear in court and has since died.

Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, said "It's wrong to run this ad" and asked the campaign to take it down, while keeping his endorsement of Ramaswamy. Sen. Jon Husted said he would not have run it, and Rep. Nancy Mace called it the most offensive ad of the cycle. Vice President JD Vance said whether the ad was appropriate "is not really my concern" and told Republicans to stop complaining and focus on winning. President Trump said he knew nothing about it.