Ohio's Vivek Ramaswamy slammed attack ad featuring opponent's estranged mother

CBC English
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Oct 22, 2026
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Video Summary
AI GeneratedRepublican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is facing backlash after releasing an attack ad featuring the estranged mother of his opponent, Democrat Amy Acton. The ad accuses Acton of dishonesty, but critics, including some Republicans, condemn the tactic as cruel, especially given Acton's history of childhood trauma. Ramaswamy remains unapologetic as the election nears.
The Republican candidate for governor in Ohio,
Vivek Ramaswamy,
sparking backlash and outrage.
After his team produced this attack ad,
featuring the estranged mother of his opponent, Democrat Amy Acton.
She's lied her entire life.
The ad fails to disclose Acton's mom stayed married to the man
who sexually abused Acton as a child, even after his rape indictment.
And she lost custody of her kids.
My heart goes out to you.
I just, can I give you a hug?
A remarkable moment of comfort at a campaign event.
Acton is not surprised by her opponent's attack,
she tells a CNN reporter.
That said, you know, what has also been remarkable to see, Lauren,
is how many people are outraged by this.
Because so many people have experienced some sort of trauma
or abuse in their lives.
Ramaswamy even upset some Republicans.
Nikki Haley, a former presidential nominee, said he's a bad guy.
It's a shame he continues to get away with it.
Ramaswamy is making no apologies.
Amy Acton has been repeatedly
and serially dishonest during this campaign.
And the Trump administration casts criticism of Ramaswamy as unfair.
Vivek Ramaswamy had the audacity to run a TV commercial
which calls it out like it is and calls Amy Acton a liar.
It's a very unusual situation to have a mother hate a daughter
that much, but I don't think that has anything to do with Vivek.
Republicans have struggled in Ohio in this election cycle,
and voters appear mixed on the ad.
I don't care if Ramaswamy's policies are the best.
That shows just a judgment of character that I don't want to see.
She was truly a victim, and that's not right.
But I also don't want somebody running
into the city or state of Ohio who's a victim
and who's in victim mode because that makes
the leadership seem like victim, and that's not good.
Ramaswamy is spending $4 million on airtime for the ad.
Voters have less than two weeks
to decide whether this tactic is a deal-breaker.
Katie Simpson, CBC News, Washington.
