Vivek Ramaswamy election odds ‘crash’ after attack ad featuring opponent’s estranged mom: ‘Such a despicable low’

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is currently battling Democrat Amy Acton to become Governor of Ohio. As of writing, it’s still a close race, though polls over the last few weeks have put Acton ahead by a few points.

Now that may be rapidly changing following mass condemnation of a Ramaswamy attack ad directed at Acton and featuring her long-estranged birth mother, Donna Acton. Dragging your opponent’s mom into an attack ad would be questionable at the best of times.

But as Acton was removed from her mother’s custody at age 12 after allegations of sexual abuse from her stepfather and her mom stood by him over her, it’s kicked up an enormous controversy and widespread condemnation of the Ramaswamy campaign.

“It’s scummy politics. Bottom of the barrel”

The ad itself sees Donna Acton calling her daughter a “liar”, underlining, “She is a liar. She lies about her past. She says she grew up living in a tent. None of that is true. She’s lied her entire life. … Don’t vote for people who lie. Don’t let her become your governor. If you think she’ll make your life better, you’re fooling yourself. It will only get worse.”

Acton’s brother was horrified, arguing (per Newsweek) that this is effectively Ramaswamy’s campaign weaponizing the abuse Acton suffered as a child against her: “It’s not surprising that Vivek Ramaswamy has stooped to such a despicable low as to attempt to turn the sexual abuse Amy endured at twelve years old from our birth mother’s husband into a political talking point. Our birth mother stayed married to Amy’s rapist until he died.”

Now, per Newsweek, it seems the ad is having the opposite effect as Ramaswamy’s election odds “crash” in the wake of the backlash. The point to prediction market Kalshi, which puts Acton up 19% and Ramaswamy down 19%. As of writing, Acton has pulled further ahead still, with Kalshi now listing Acton as having a 76.3% chance of winning the election.

Comments indicate many see predict this ad might cost Ramaswamy the election. As one put it, “The percentage change in these last two days is insane,” that this is “Vivek’s scummy own goal. Good job!”, and that “I’m not gonna lie, it’s down right disgusting to use someone’s mother against them. It’s scummy politics. Bottom of the barrel, that when you know your s— sucks.. But I mean, if it works for him, kudos. I just think it makes him nasty, honestly.”