Amy Acton rides reviled Vivek Ramaswamy attack ad to stunning Ohio gov victory

Amy Acton rides reviled Vivek Ramaswamy attack ad to stunning Ohio gov victory The contest was roiled by Ramaswamy’s decision in the final month to air the ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Dr. Amy Acton secured a stunning victory in the race for Ohio governor on Tuesday, overcoming more than $100 million spent against her to become the first Democrat to win the post in 20 years and the first woman elected to the state's highest office. The public health physician and former COVID-19-era state health director defeated Trump-backed Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech billionaire and 2024 presidential candidate. She ran on affordability and expanding healthcare access, appealing to working- and middle-class voters by highlighting her background as an Ohio native who experienced childhood homelessness and lived in a tent for one winter. The contest was roiled during its final month when Ramaswamy aired an attack advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother, who claimed Acton lied about her upbringing and urged residents not to vote for her. The commercial drew national bipartisan backlash because Acton’s mother lost custody of her children decades ago after her husband, their stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton as a child. Acton’s victory marks a major triumph for Democrats in a former swing state that had been largely written off as voters shifted toward Republicans during the Trump era. Acton, 60, replaces GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, whom she served alongside during the initial months of the pandemic. She enters office without elective experience, contrasting with her 79-year-old former boss, who faces term limits and is expected to retire from elective politics after 50 years. Her win came despite massive spending by Ramaswamy and his allies. Elon Musk, for instance, directed at least $5 million into a political action committee aligned with Ramaswamy. She prevailed even after President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio native, made frequent trips to the state late in the race to rally for Ramaswamy and Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who was running to retain Vance’s former seat. The Acton campaign capitalized on Ramaswamy’s wealth to depict him as out of touch with average voters dealing with economic strains, including Trump’s tariffs, high living costs, and rising fuel prices caused by the war in Iran. Ohio Republicans had unified around Ramaswamy early on, energized by his profile, fortune, and ties to Trump. His path was smoothed when DeWine appointed his lieutenant governor, Husted—then the leading Republican contender for governor—to the Senate. Endorsement of a political newcomer left veteran Republican figures, including the attorney general and state treasurer, scrambling to adjust their plans, creating anxiety within the party. Ramaswamy faced early primary resistance from vehicle designer and YouTube provocateur Casey “The Car Guy” Putsch, who gained traction with working-class voters. Putsch directed veiled ethnic and religious attacks at Ramaswamy, who is Hindu. Putsch’s $130,000 campaign captured nearly 18% of the Republican primary vote, and he later announced plans to vote for Acton in the general election. Acton was among the state's most recognizable Democrats after appearing alongside DeWine and Husted on pandemic broadcasts. Opponents tried to turn that against her, arguing she harmed Ohio through aggressive school and business closures. DeWine defended his former Cabinet member, stating the buck stopped with him, though his endorsement remained with Ramaswamy throughout the race, even after the ad featuring Acton’s mother aired. Initially leaked online, the 60-second commercial was claimed by Ramaswamy, who defended it as fair criticism of Acton's alleged pattern of deception that was being mischaracterized by Democrats and media as questioning her childhood abuse. The ad featured Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, calling her daughter “a liar” with a “serious problem” being honest, while urging voters to reject her. But Arthur had been estranged from Acton for nearly 50 years after losing custody when her husband, the children’s stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton as a child, pleaded not guilty, and fled the state before trial. Both Vance and Trump defended Ramaswamy’s use of the ad. The president even expressed jealousy that he had never had the chance to deploy such an attack against a rival. But the ad drew sharp condemnation from five Ohio governors, leaders from both parties, women’s groups, and several hundred alumni of Ramaswamy’s Cincinnati Catholic high school, who called it gutter politics and demanded its removal. The campaign took it off the air about a week before the election, having spent roughly $1 million of an announced $4 million ad buy. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments