Republican poll finds Ramaswamy's attack ad on Acton backfiring in Ohio governor's race

Summary

A private poll commissioned by a Republican group and obtained by Axios found Democrat Amy Acton leading Republican Vivek Ramaswamy by eight points in the Ohio governor's race, up from a two-point lead in the same poll earlier this month, before an attack ad began circulating on Oct. 19. A memo attached to the poll states that the ad "is having a significant effect on the gubernatorial race." The ad features Donna Arthur, Acton's estranged mother, who accuses her daughter of lying about her childhood and urges Ohioans not to vote for her. Acton has said she was sexually abused by her stepfather at age 12 and that her mother sided with her abuser; she says she hasn't seen her mother since 1978. Ramaswamy's campaign committed $4 million to airing the ad statewide despite warnings from other Republicans. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R), who worked closely with Acton when she was the state's health director, said airing the ad was wrong and urged Ramaswamy to take it down, while President Trump and Vice President Vance backed Ramaswamy. Vance told critics to "stop whining."

Timeline

1. Axios

   28 Oct 2026, 17:11 UTCSource ↗

   Axios reports that a private poll commissioned by a Republican group shows Acton leading Ramaswamy by eight points, with a memo saying the attack ad is having a significant effect on the race.