DeWine Urges Ramaswamy to Pull Controversial Acton Ad as Ohio Governor’s Race Heats Up

• by Shimanta Das
• October 24, 2026

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has called on Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy to take down a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton. The ad, which has sparked widespread condemnation, shows Acton’s mother calling her a liar and attacking her character. DeWine, speaking to reporters outside the Ohio Statehouse, said, “The ad is deeply, deeply troubling,” and urged Ramaswamy to “take this down.” His call was later echoed by former Ohio Governor John Kasich, a fellow Republican, underscoring bipartisan concern over the ad’s tone and content.

The backlash stems not only from the ad’s personal nature but also from the painful history it invokes. Acton suffered physical abuse from her mother’s then-husband during her childhood, which resulted in authorities removing her from her mother’s care. Critics argue that exploiting this trauma for political gain is beyond the pale, even in a heated campaign. DeWine’s decision to publicly break with Ramaswamy highlights the seriousness with which he views the ad, especially given his own history with Acton—she served as director of the Ohio Department of Health under his administration during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The controversy comes amid broader tensions within the Republican Party. Vice President JD Vance has urged Republicans to stop criticizing Ramaswamy over the ad, but DeWine’s rebuke signals a rift. DeWine and former President Donald Trump have remained distant since Trump endorsed DeWine months after the 2022 primary; DeWine has skipped Trump’s recent rallies in Ohio. The ad controversy also tests the limits of political advertising in a state where personal attacks are increasingly common. As CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett noted, the story has drawn national attention, with the Washington Sun reporting that DeWine has “taken sides with the Democratic candidate for governor and former member of his Cabinet over her Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy.”

With the election approaching, the pressure on Ramaswamy to pull the ad continues to mount. DeWine’s call, backed by Kasich, places