Ramaswamy Lends $41.3 Million To His Campaign As Acton Outraises Him
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor owed him $41.3 million in outstanding loans as of mid-October, while his Democratic rival Amy Acton raised more than twice as much as he did during the latest reporting period, according to pre-general election campaign finance reports cited by State Affairs.
The reports, covering the period through October 14, show that Acton raised $3.9 million and had $3.6 million in cash on hand, while Ramaswamy raised $1.5 million and had $2.4 million remaining, State Affairs reported on October 23.
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate seeking his first public office, reported spending $51.2 million. More than half of that, $28.5 million, went towards media buys, followed by $7.3 million in digital consulting, the report said.
His campaign filing also listed $5 million in other income from the candidate, alongside the $41.3 million in outstanding loans owed by the campaign committee to Ramaswamy.
Acton has spent $26.3 million since winning the Democratic nomination in an unopposed primary, including $18.5 million on media buys and $2.2 million on digital advertising, according to the report.
Ramaswamy’s largest contribution was $16,615 from Elevance Health PAC, while American Electric Power contributed $15,000. Individual donors who gave the maximum permitted contribution of $16,615 included Subhash Patel, chief executive of Natson Hotels; Anthony White of Blacklick; and New York investors Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, State Affairs reported.
Despite Acton’s fundraising advantage, Republicans hold a substantial lead in advertising spending. Citing ad-tracking firm AdImpact, State Affairs reported on October 22 that Republicans and their allies had spent $143.9 million on advertising in the race, compared with $45 million by Democrats. Ramaswamy added another $2.8 million in new advertising reservations, bringing his campaign’s future bookings to $14.8 million, compared with $8 million for Democrats.
The financial figures come as election forecasters reassess the contest. Sabato’s Crystal Ball, published by the University of Virginia Center for Politics, shifted its rating from Toss-up to Leans Democratic on October 22.
The race has also drawn attention over a $4 million Ramaswamy campaign advertisement featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who calls her daughter a liar.
Court documents obtained by NBC News show that Acton’s stepfather, Cledith Arthur, was arrested and indicted by a grand jury in 1978 on a charge of rape involving a child under 13. Acton has said she has not seen or spoken to her mother in nearly 50 years.
Ohio’s outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who has not withdrawn his endorsement of Ramaswamy, criticized the advertisement. “What’s not irrelevant is this ad. It’s wrong. It needs to be taken down,” DeWine said. (IANS)
