Trailing In Polls, Vivek Runs Personal Attack Ad Of Rival

India-West News Desk

COLUMBUS, OH – Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is facing criticism from conservative commentators over a campaign ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic rival in the Ohio governor’s race, Amy Acton. The video questions Acton’s account of childhood homelessness, with her mother, Donna Arthur, calling her a liar.

People close to Ramaswamy and his campaign stood by the ad because it had “performed well with persuadable voters.” He will be spending $4 million to blanket the state with the advertisement.

This has been Ramaswamy’s style given how he attacked fellow GOP rival Nikki Haley during their run for the presidency, forever drawing her wrath.

Acton has said she was sexually abused between the ages of nine and 12 by her stepfather, Cledith “Bud” Arthur. Court records indicate that he was charged with rape and indicted in 1978 following a police report filed by Acton’s biological father. He later skipped bail and fled the state, dying in 2004 without being convicted.

Acton and her brother, Philip Stearns, were removed from their mother’s custody. Acton and her brother have said her mother left town with her stepfather after he skipped bail and blasted Ramaswamy for using her childhood experiences in a political ad.

Stearns also condemned the advertisement, accusing Ramaswamy of turning his sister’s abuse into a political talking point. He said their mother remained married to the man until his death.

The ad has also drawn criticism from conservative commentators. CNN’s Scott Jennings called it “extremely risky,” saying the campaign may have underestimated the public reaction once voters learned the background to Acton’s childhood.

Jason Rantz said the advertisement had changed his view of Ramaswamy. He said he would have voted for the Republican if he lived in Ohio but questioned his ability to lead the state after seeing the ad.

Shermichael Singleton, speaking on CNN’s The Source, said the decision was a deliberate attempt to harm a political opponent rather than a lapse in judgment. Although he disagreed with Acton on many issues, he said the tactic was not one he would endorse.

Meanwhile, and in typical endorsement of personal attacks rather than policy, Donald Trump Jr. also shared the video online, urging Ohio voters to watch it. Ramaswamy, who has received President Donald Trump’s backing, has continued to defend his campaign’s approach.

The controversy comes as Acton leads Ramaswamy 50 percent to 43 percent in an October Marist poll.