Republican Ramaswamy's Ohio campaign ad draws condemnation, including from within his own party

Less than two weeks before the US midterm elections on 3 November, criticism is growing of an attack ad run by Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the race for Ohio governor. The spot features Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent Amy Acton, urging Ohioans not to vote for her daughter and calling her a liar.

Acton's campaign has described the ad as despicable and publicly clarified that Acton was sexually abused by her stepfather and removed from her mother's custody at the age of 12. Her brother said in a statement that their mother stayed married to the abuser until his death after he was arrested, and called the ad a despicable attempt to turn that abuse into a political talking point. Acton herself told voters that her mother was unwell and that Ramaswamy should not have exploited her.

Support and criticism on the Republican side

Ramaswamy's team has stood by the ad. Vice President JD Vance backed it, saying Ramaswamy had the audacity to run a television commercial that calls it out like it is, and condemned the Republican criticism. Still, South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace joined the critics, saying the ad would go down as the most shameful, disgusting and offensive of this election season. She said she was stunned and could not believe this is what passes for decency.

The Ohio race is regarded as one of the uglier contests of the midterms. Acton has refused to debate Ramaswamy, whom she has called a chronic liar, and has also criticised another of his ads featuring a woman married to a registered sex offender.

Other election news

In Texas, an Emerson College poll shows Democrat James Talarico at 48% narrowly ahead of Republican Ken Paxton at 46% in the Senate race. Talarico was also backed by Republican Neil Bush, son of former president George H. W. Bush, who said character matters more than party affiliation.