Politics · October 22, 2026
Ohio Gov. DeWine condemns Ramaswamy ad, calls on him to 'take it down'
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has publicly condemned a campaign advertisement released by Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The ad features Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton, who calls her daughter a liar. Governor DeWine described the ad as 'deeply troubling' and urged the campaign to take it down. Despite his condemnation of the specific advertisement, DeWine reaffirmed his endorsement of Ramaswamy and the full Republican ticket, citing his long-standing party loyalty and professional history with the candidates.
Read the original coverage
- ABC NewsMBFC: Left-Center
'Take it down': Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine condemns Ramaswamy ad and calls on him to cease airing it
Read at ABC News ↗ - NBC NewsMBFC: Left-Center
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calls on Vivek Ramaswamy to take down ad featuring opponent’s estranged mother
Read at NBC News ↗ - Ohio Capital JournalAllSides: Lean LeftMBFC: Left
'Just wrong.' Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tells Ramaswamy to immediately take down controversial ad. • Ohio Capital Journal
Read at Ohio Capital Journal ↗ - Washington TimesMBFC: Right-Center
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine denounces Ramaswamy ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother
Read at Washington Times ↗
Reported across the spectrum
- Governor Mike DeWine called for Vivek Ramaswamy to stop airing a specific campaign advertisement.
- The ad features Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton.
- In the ad, Arthur calls Acton a 'liar' and urges voters not to support her.
- DeWine characterized the ad as 'deeply, deeply troubling' and 'wrong'.
- DeWine is not withdrawing his endorsement of Ramaswamy despite the condemnation.
Reported by only some outlets
- The Ramaswamy campaign reportedly backed the ad with a $4 million statewide airtime purchase.
- Court records from Mahoning County show Acton's stepfather was charged with sexual abuse and became a fugitive until his death in 2004.
- Acton has stated she has not spoken to her mother since she was 12 years old.
- Governor DeWine cited his past experience as a prosecutor and attorney general working with rape victims as a reason for his stance.
Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
highlight the traumatic personal history of Amy Acton, emphasize the bipartisan backlash against the ad, and contrast DeWine's moral condemnation with his refusal to pull his endorsement of Ramaswamy.
Right-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
characterize DeWine's move as 'taking sides' with a Democrat over his own party's nominee and a former member of his cabinet.
Where coverage diverges
Coverage diverges along left/right lines — see Framing tab for specifics.
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