Biotech billionaire and Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy defended a controversial $4 million campaign advertisement on Friday, even as the spot drew strong bipartisan condemnation across the state. Ramaswamy launched a statewide bus tour alongside fellow Republicans on Friday, maintaining his support for the ad despite growing friction within his own party.
The ad has generated significant backlash from political leaders in Ohio. By Friday, every living full-term governor of the state—including three Republicans and two Democrats—had spoken out against it. Former Republican Governor Bob Taft called the spot a violation of human decency, while current Governor Mike DeWine and U.S. Senator Jon Husted also distanced themselves from the commercial. Despite the mounting criticism, Ramaswamy has pressed forward with the campaign, backed by encouragement from U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
