Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s ad featuring the ex-mother of Amy Acton, his Democratic opponent for Ohio governor, is leaving the state’s airwaves, Ramaswamy’s campaign confirmed Thursday.
The ad, which debuted last week to widespread bipartisan condemnation, is in rotation after completing its scheduled run, according to the campaign. The campaign includes other ads airing in the final days of the race.
In the now-completed campaign ad, Donna Arthur — the mother Acton says she hasn’t seen since her then-stepfather was accused of raping her when she was a child nearly 50 years ago — calls her daughter a liar and urges Ohioans not to vote for her. The advert does not discuss the details of the rape case. But critics criticized the Ramaswamy campaign’s decision to use Arthur as a character witness and to highlight a painful family history.
“I’m even learning things about my childhood that I didn’t know,” Acton told reporters Tuesday during a campaign stop in Youngstown. “I think it’s despicable. … I’m sure one day I’ll unpack everything I learn here. But I’m just grateful to the people of Ohio and everyone, really for all the support and love that we’ve received.”
The Ramaswamy campaign said last week that the ad would be supported by $4 million in air time. It started as a one-minute spot, but was eventually shortened to a 30-second version. Many, including term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican who supported Ramaswamy, had called on him to pull the ad.
“Vivek Ramaswamy should never have aired his despicable ad in the first place, and it is absolutely no surprise that he took it off the air in the most cowardly way possible, without even a shred of apology to Dr. Acton, his family, or the people of Ohio,” Acton campaign spokesperson Addie Bullock said in a statement Thursday.
The Columbus Dispatch first reported that the ad was ending its run.
“The project has been completed and we have released four more announcements,” Ramaswamy said during a campaign stop on Thursday, according to the newspaper.
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