Ohio governor race shifts to 'lean Democrat' after Ramaswamy ad backlash
Photo: Getty ImagesTwo leading election forecasters have moved Ohio's governor race from toss-up to “lean Democrat,” after Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign spent $4 million airing an attack ad featuring his Democratic opponent's estranged mother.
The Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted the race between Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton, the Columbus Dispatch reported. Cook's Jessica Taylor wrote that the decision to run the “deeply personal” spot suggested the race is “slipping away from him” and could damage fellow Republicans.
The ad features Acton's birth mother, Donna Arthur, disputing Acton's account of a childhood involving homelessness and sexual abuse, and urging Ohioans not to vote for her daughter. Acton has said she was sexually abused by her stepfather at 12, was removed from her mother's custody, and has not seen her mother since 1978; her brother has supported her account.
The spot has split Republicans: Gov. Mike DeWine called it “deeply, deeply troubling” and asked for it to come down, while President Donald Trump called it “very powerful” and urged Ramaswamy to keep it on air. At a campaign stop Friday in Strongsville, Ramaswamy said he stood by the ad and accused the media of misrepresenting it. Acton said her mother is “deeply sick and unwell” and accused Ramaswamy of exploiting her “all for his own political gain.”
Sources: CNN (Oct 24, 2026); The Columbus Dispatch (Oct 23, 2026); Reuters (Oct 21, 2026).
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