Ramaswamy's attack ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother draws backlash, edit and Obama criticism

Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy released an attack ad against Democratic nominee Amy Acton featuring her estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who calls her daughter a liar in need of help, and his campaign then cut the ad's length in half after an uproar. An Ohio political blogger leaked the ad to social media on Monday night. It does not say what Acton allegedly lied about. Acton has spoken for years about growing up in poverty and enduring childhood sexual abuse, and 1978 reports show Arthur's husband was charged with sexual conduct with a minor under 13. Barack Obama sharply criticized Ramaswamy over the ad. A review of Meta advertising data showed that a Facebook ad boosting the video ran on the Buckeye Bulletin, a site that appeared this spring and posts pro-Ramaswamy content. Its accounts are managed by the Lincoln Media Foundation, a nonprofit tied to California's Lincoln Club, a conservative donor group. Ramaswamy began a bus tour with other Ohio Republicans this weekend, and a top Ohio Republican said some businesses do not want to host him.

Right-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and alternative/independent outlets had. The Los Angeles Times leads with the Buckeye Bulletin, citing Meta data and IRS documents on shared executives, noting that the site and the groups did not respond, and describing it as partisan "pink-slime" journalism. The Washington Post leads with Obama's criticism in its headline and with the campaign's decision to halve the ad. Both left outlets center on the ad's political fallout and Ramaswamy's conduct; the excerpts do not give his side. Alternative outlets add distinct angles. Zeteo reports venue pushback through an unnamed Republican source. The Dispatch, written by an Ohio-based editor, supplies background on Acton and her mother.