Vance Defends Ramaswamy Attack Ad Targeting Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Amy Acton

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Vice President JD Vance stated during a campaign stop in Ohio that he is disgusted by Republican pushback against a controversial political advertisement produced by Vivek Ramaswamy. The 60-second spot features the estranged mother of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton and questions her traumatic childhood.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a rally outside Cincinnati on Wednesday, Vance defended the political environment as difficult while dismissing concerns regarding the appropriateness of the commercial. He stated that the appropriateness of the spot was not really his concern, emphasizing instead that his focus remained on supporting Republican candidates in upcoming midterm races.

“I’m a little bit disgusted when I see Republicans across the country who are whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional Democrats and other Democrats want to do to the United States of America,” Vance said. The remarks marked his first public comments on the ad, which has intensified one of the country’s most contentious and expensive gubernatorial contests.

The commercial features Acton’s birth mother, Donna Arthur, who calls the candidate a liar and insinuates she struggles with mental health issues. The ad drew immediate criticism from both Democrats and Republicans after emerging just two weeks before Election Day.

Ramaswamy, a billionaire tech entrepreneur and former 2024 Republican presidential candidate, claimed credit for the production and committed $4 million to broadcast it despite internal party backlash. He did not address the controversy during remarks delivered prior to Vance’s rally appearance.

Acton, who previously served as Ohio’s health director, has publicly discussed experiencing homelessness and abuse during her youth. Police and court records indicate that her stepfather, Cledith Arthur, was arrested and charged with the rape of his stepdaughter in July 1978 after Acton’s biological father reported the conduct to authorities. The records show the alleged abuse occurred between December 1976 and April 1978, resulting in Donna Arthur losing custody of her children.

In response to the ad, Acton’s campaign released a video featuring her brother supporting her accounts of enduring abuse and living in a tent. During his remarks to reporters, Vance asserted that Acton dishonesty characterized her political positions.