POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsLos Angeles Times – PoliticsOctober 25, 2026Los Angeles County

Chabria on the Political Fallout of Vivek Ramaswamy’s Attack Ad Targeting Amy Acton

Photo: Los Angeles Times – Politics

An opinion column argues that an attack ad released by Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy featuring his opponent Amy Acton's troubled family history is not a turning point for the Republican Party, but rather a deliberate loyalty test orchestrated by Donald Trump. Despite widespread national condemnation and hand-wringing from some Republicans, the author predicts that loyal MAGA voters and white evangelicals in Ohio will continue to support Ramaswamy and that the election outcome will largely align with prior polling.

ElectionsPolitical CampaignsMediaPolitical Ethics
Read the full story at Los Angeles Times – Politics

Why It Matters

The controversy highlights deep divisions within the Republican Party over campaign tactics, pitting critics of the ad against defenders while testing internal party loyalty and future political alignment.

Key Facts

  • Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released an attack ad targeting opponent Amy Acton using her troubled childhood and family history.
  • The ad sparked widespread national condemnation, though some Republicans and President Donald Trump defended it.
  • Vice President JD Vance defended the ad and criticized fellow Republicans for complaining about it rather than focusing on winning the election.
  • A reliable Cook's poll put Amy Acton ahead of Vivek Ramaswamy 49% to 44% before the ad's release.
  • President Trump attacked Ohio Governor Mike DeWine after DeWine called for Ramaswamy to stop airing the spot and labeled it deeply troubling.
  • The author asserts that the ad serves as an inadvertent loyalty test for Donald Trump to identify who he can trust within the Republican Party.

Who's Mentioned

locationOhio“State where the gubernatorial election is taking place”PersonDonald Trump“President who defended the ad and tested party loyalty”PersonMatt Gaetz“Mentioned in relation to past allegations”locationUnited States of America“Country referenced in political context”PersonE. Jean Kelly“Mentioned in relation to past public allegations”OrganizationTruth Social“Social media platform where supporters commented”PersonIlhan Omar“Representative referenced by supporters in online commentary”PersonJD Vance“Vice President who defended the ad and criticized complaining Republicans”PersonJeffrey Epstein“Mentioned in relation to past victims”locationMichigan“State referenced regarding a senate candidate”PersonAbdul El-Sayed“Michigan senate candidate referenced by supporters in online commentary”PersonMike DeWine“Current Ohio Republican Governor who called for the ad to stop”OrganizationCook’s poll“Polling organization that showed Amy Acton ahead”PersonChristine Blasey Ford“Mentioned in relation to past public testimony”PersonVivek Ramaswamy“Ohio gubernatorial candidate who released the controversial attack ad”PersonAmy Acton“Ohio gubernatorial candidate and opponent targeted in the attack ad”