Key facts
- Amy Acton, Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, was targeted by an attack ad from opponent Vivek Ramaswamy.
- The ad featured Acton's estranged mother accusing her daughter of lying.
- Acton has not spoken to her mother since she was 12, when she testified against her mother's husband.
- The ad was pulled by Ramaswamy's campaign after facing bipartisan condemnation.
- Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Democratic Senate nominee, faced ads attacking his religion.
- Ken Paxton and allies in Texas used AI-generated ads to attack James Talarico.
Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for governor of Ohio, has been the target of a controversial attack ad released by her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy. The ad featured Acton's estranged mother accusing her daughter of lying and urging voters not to support her. Acton stated she has not spoken to her mother since she was 12, when she testified against her mother's husband who was accused of rape.
The ad drew bipartisan condemnation, with outgoing Ohio Governor Mike DeWine calling it "wrong." Amid mounting pressure and unfavorable polling, Ramaswamy's campaign eventually pulled the ad. The article contrasts this moment with other recent negative campaign tactics, including ads attacking Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed's religion and AI-generated ads in Texas targeting James Talarico.