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JD Vance has dismissed criticism of a controversial campaign advertisement supporting Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio’s governor’s race, deepening a Republican dispute over the use of a candidate’s family members in political attacks.
The advertisement targets Democratic candidate Amy Acton through comments from her estranged mother, Donna Arthur. The video shows Arthur calling her daughter dishonest and arguing that she should not lead the state. Ramaswamy’s campaign has acknowledged responsibility for the ad and said it plans to spend $4m broadcasting it across Ohio.
JD Vance Defends a Fierce Ohio Campaign Fight
Speaking to reporters in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Vice-President JD Vance played down concerns about the advertisement. He said the appropriateness of the campaign spot was not his main concern and criticized Republicans who, in his view, were focusing too heavily on the controversy rather than on Democratic policy proposals.
“Politics is a tough business,” Vance said, while expressing frustration with Republicans who have condemned the advertisement. His comments placed him closer to Ramaswamy and President Donald Trump, who have both rejected calls to withdraw the spot.
The controversy escalated after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine publicly urged Ramaswamy to remove the advertisement. DeWine described it as “deeply, deeply troubling” and said using family members in this way crossed a traditional political boundary.
“It’s wrong to run this ad,” DeWine said, according to the Associated Press. He added that family members had historically been considered off limits in political campaigns.
Trump Attacks Mike DeWine Over Ramaswamy Ad
Donald Trump responded sharply on Thursday, accusing DeWine of disloyalty to the Republican Party. In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested that the governor might want a Democrat to win and said Ramaswamy should continue airing the advertisement.
Trump’s intervention added national significance to what had begun as a bitter Ohio campaign dispute. His support gives Ramaswamy a powerful political ally as the Republican candidate tries to reverse Acton’s recent advantage in polling.
Ramaswamy’s campaign has defended the advertisement by arguing that Democrats have previously used relatives of Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr and other Republican figures in political messaging. Campaign spokesperson Connie Luck said voters should not accept what she described as a double standard.
Acton’s campaign has strongly rejected that argument. Her brother, Philip Stearns, called the advertisement “a despicable low” and said he and Acton had been removed from their mother’s custody after their stepfather was arrested.
Family History Becomes a Central Political Weapon
Acton has said she has not seen her mother for decades. According to the report, the estrangement followed a traumatic period in which Acton’s mother married a man who sexually abused Acton when she was 12 and remained with him after police intervened.
The use of that family history in a statewide political advertisement has triggered criticism from Republicans as well as Democrats. Jon Husted, an Ohio Republican senator facing a competitive election contest, said he would not have run the ad.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose also criticized the decision, although he said every candidate ultimately had the right to make campaign choices independently. The remarks suggest that concern about the advertisement extends beyond Acton’s Democratic allies.
At the same time, DeWine has not withdrawn his endorsement of Ramaswamy. The governor said he intends to support the full Republican ticket in the midterm elections, even while condemning the specific campaign strategy.
What the Ohio Governor Race Means for Republicans
The dispute comes as Ramaswamy attempts to gain ground in a closely watched governor’s race. Acton, who has led in several recent polls, is seeking to turn the controversy into evidence that her Republican opponent is willing to use personal attacks to win.
Ramaswamy, meanwhile, is betting that the advertisement will energize conservative voters and draw attention to Acton’s family background. The planned $4m advertising expenditure indicates that the campaign views the video as a major part of its final strategy.
- Mike DeWine called the advertisement deeply troubling.
- JD Vance dismissed criticism of the campaign spot.
- Donald Trump urged Ramaswamy to keep airing it.
- Jon Husted said he would not have approved the ad.
- DeWine retained his endorsement of Ramaswamy despite the backlash.
The clash also highlights a broader debate over campaign ethics, political loyalty and the growing role of personal attacks in American elections. With the midterms approaching, Ohio voters are likely to hear more about the advertisement as both parties compete for attention and momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did JD Vance say about the Ohio advertisement?
JD Vance said he was not primarily concerned with whether the advertisement was appropriate and criticized Republicans who focused on the ad rather than Democratic policy proposals.
Why did Mike DeWine criticize the Ramaswamy campaign?
DeWine said the advertisement was deeply troubling because it featured Amy Acton’s estranged mother and used painful family history as a political attack.
How did Donald Trump respond to DeWine?
Trump accused DeWine of being disloyal to the Republican Party and encouraged Ramaswamy to continue airing the advertisement.
Has DeWine withdrawn his endorsement of Ramaswamy?
No. Although DeWine condemned the advertisement, he said he would continue supporting the full Republican ticket in the midterm elections.
