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Politics · October 22, 2026

Jennings on Vance comments on Ramaswamy ad: 'He could have just ignored it'

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In the final weeks of the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released a controversial attack ad featuring Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton. In the ad, Arthur calls Acton a liar. The ad sparked significant backlash due to Acton’s history; she has detailed childhood sexual abuse by her mother's husband, and her brother confirmed their mother remained married to the alleged rapist for decades. While several Republicans, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Senator Jon Husted, criticized the ad or called for its removal, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended it. Vance told Republicans to 'stop whining' and focus on winning, while Trump praised the ad as 'powerful.'

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Reported across the spectrum

  • Vivek Ramaswamy released an ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur.
  • In the ad, Donna Arthur calls Amy Acton a liar.
  • JD Vance told Republicans to 'stop whining' about the ad and focus on the race.
  • President Trump defended the ad, calling it 'very powerful.'
  • Amy Acton and her brother have stated she was sexually abused by her mother’s husband as a child.
  • Governor Mike DeWine criticized the ad and urged the Ramaswamy campaign to take it down.

Reported by only some outlets

  • The Ramaswamy campaign reportedly spent $4 million on promoting the ad.
  • Donna Arthur has a criminal record including convictions for theft by deception and animal abuse.
  • The ad was initially leaked from a test poll before being confirmed by the campaign.
  • Amy Acton stated her mother is 'not well' and the ad is 'exploitative.'
  • Conservative commentator Scott Jennings remarked that Vance could have ignored the controversy.

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