Vance says Republicans shouldn’t complain about Ramaswamy ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Vice President JD Vance defended Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy over a controversial political advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton.

The ad features Acton’s birth mother, Donna Arthur, calling her daughter a liar and questioning her mental health. Arthur lost custody of her children after Acton’s stepfather was indicted for raping her. Acton, who has spoken publicly about the abuse and homelessness she experienced as a child, has not seen her mother since 1978.

Vance criticized Republicans who condemned the advertisement, arguing that Democrats have subjected Ramaswamy to harsh personal attacks throughout the campaign. He defended his longtime friend at an Ohio rally, saying politics is a tough business and accusing Democrats and the media of applying a double standard.

However, Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who is running against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, distanced himself from the controversy, stating, “I would not have run that ad.” Brown called the commercial “disgusting” and urged Republicans to denounce it.

President Donald Trump said he was unfamiliar with the advertisement but described the conflict between Acton and her mother as highly unusual, suggesting Ramaswamy was not responsible for their relationship.

Acton avoided directly engaging in the controversy during a previously scheduled campaign appearance. Instead, her campaign released a positive advertisement urging Ohio voters to move beyond political divisions and begin healing.

The larger issue: The controversy has intensified debate over the use of deeply personal family trauma in political advertising, while exposing differences among prominent Republicans over the boundaries of acceptable campaign tactics.

This is a condensed summary of the Associated Press article, written by Julie Carr Smyth and Collin Binkley, published October 21, 2026. All original reporting is credited to the authors and The Associated Press.