Vance blasts GOP pushback to Ramaswamy ad featuring Acton's estranged mother during Ohio stop

Vice President JD Vance criticized some of his fellow Republicans Wednesday, saying he is "disgusted" by their pushback against an ad by Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that features the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton. 

"Politics is a tough business," Vance said during a campaign stop in Columbus. "And my message to my fellow elected Republicans is, if you actually believe in the things you say you believe in, stop whining about an advertisement and go win the race in 13 days." 

The ad, which features Donna Arthur, Acton’s birth mother, calling Acton "a liar," the Associated Press reported. The spot, which premiered on Tuesday, insinuates the Democrat has mental health issues. Criticism to the ad came from both Democrats and Republicans.  

Republican Sen. John Husted distanced himself from the ad, telling the AP, "I would not have run that ad."  

"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 vice president also told the crowds that Action "lies about every single one of her positions." 

Husted, who faces his own challenge in the midterms against Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, attended the rally with Vance and Ramaswamy, but did not address the controversy there. 

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump weighed in on the ad, saying he had heard about it but did not think Ramaswamy was to blame for the strained relationship between Acton and Arthur. 

Ramaswamy, who ran for president in 2024, is a billionaire tech entrepreneur. He said he plans to spend $4 million to promote it despite the backlash. 

Acton is Ohio’s former health director. She has said publicly that she faced homelessness and abuse in her childhood. 

Arthur lost custody of her children after their stepfather was indicted for raping Acton, the AP reported. Police and court records obtained by the AP stated Cledith Arthur was arrested and charged in July 1978 with raping Acton, with the abuse allegedly occurring from December 1976 to April 1978.

Acton posted a video showing Acton’s brother supporting her backstory about living in a tent and being abused.

 

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