Ramaswamy halts Ohio ad after five days of protests

Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy removed a television advertisement featuring the estranged mother of Democratic rival Dr. Amy Acton. The pullback comes after the spot drew bipartisan criticism for five days. It was scheduled to air through the election.

In the commercial, Donna Arthur, Acton’s biological mother, called the Democrat a liar. Court records indicate Acton’s stepfather was arrested for raping her between the ages of 10 and 12. Arthur lost custody of her daughter. The couple fled the state to avoid a trial. Acton stated she has not seen her mother in 50 years.

Ramaswamy addressed the change in Dayton on Thursday. He told reporters the advertisement had run to completion. He noted that the campaign had placed four other ads in its stead. He expressed a desire for the final days of the race to focus on policy issues.

The decision follows pressure from within the Republican Party and protests at state events. Some Republican officials told reporters they feared the ad would hurt the entire ticket. Governor Mike DeWine, the current Democratic governor, held a press conference last week to condemn the spot. He urged Ramaswamy to pull it immediately.

Addie Bullock, the spokesperson for Acton, criticized the timing of the removal. She said Ramaswamy took the ad off the air without offering an apology to Acton, her family, or Ohio voters. She described the candidate as an out-of-touch billionaire who would do anything to win.

Mahoning County Court records obtained by reporters show Cledith Arthur was arrested and charged with sexually abusing Acton when she was 12. Arthur pleaded not guilty. She posted bond and fled, becoming a fugitive of the state until her death in 2004.