President Donald Trump has publicly defended Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign strategy in Ohio, pushing back against calls to pull a widely criticized advertisement. The ad features the estranged mother of Democratic nominee Amy Acton, highlighting her past decision to stay with her husband, who was charged with raping her daughter.
The advertisement has drawn sharp backlash from across the political spectrum, including from Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who publicly urged Ramaswamy to drop what he described as a "deeply troubling" spot. Despite the intra-party criticism and growing controversy, Trump praised Ramaswamy's campaign approach during a series of recent updates, touting the controversial media push as part of a coordinated effort.
The intensifying clash in the Buckeye State has already altered the trajectory of the contest. Following the escalation of negative campaigning and the fallout over the advertisement, a leading election forecaster shifted its outlook on the Ohio gubernatorial race, moving the contest from a "tossup" to a position favorable for Democrats.
