Vance tells Republicans to "stop whining" about Ramaswamy's Acton ad, 13 days before Ohio votes

Vice President JD Vance told Republicans on Wednesday to "stop whining about an advertisement and go win the race in 13 days," defending an ad from Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign for Ohio governor that features the estranged mother of Democratic nominee Amy Acton calling her a liar. Ohio votes November 3. The ad has drawn criticism from members of both parties, NBC News reported.

The ad

The video surfaced Tuesday, October 20. In it, Acton's mother says "Amy has a serious problem" and "She lies about her past," according to ABC News, which said it could not independently verify the video's content or authenticity. Ramaswamy confirmed it came from his campaign, called it "legitimate" and said Acton's mother was not paid. His campaign plans a $4 million statewide advertising push around it, NBC reported. We are not reproducing personal details about Acton's family beyond what the campaigns themselves have said publicly.

What Ramaswamy's campaign says

Ramaswamy said: "It is an ad from our campaign," and that Acton "has been hiding from those issues" and "won't debate me." Spokesperson Connie Luck called Acton "a serial fabulist" with "some serious problems with the truth," adding: "If Amy disagrees with these criticisms, she should stand before the people of Ohio." (ABC News)

What Acton's campaign says

Her campaign called the video an "attempt to platform their estranged and abusive mother" (NBC News). Acton said she will not "normalize somebody who has said that my childhood is something I'm just complaining about." Her brother, Philip Stearns, called the ad a "disgusting attack" and said Ramaswamy "has stooped to such a despicable low." The campaign has since released its own ad featuring Stearns, who says of Ramaswamy: "He's not fit to lead." (ABC News)

Vance and the Republican split

Speaking to reporters in Cincinnati, Vance said whether the ad "was appropriate or not is not really my concern," and that he was "a little bit disgusted" that Republicans were focused on it rather than Democrats' agenda. At a rally the same day he said voters should consider "whether Amy Acton is unfit to serve as Governor of the state of Ohio? I do," as quoted by Time.

Republican critics include Sen. Jon Husted, who is on the ballot himself and told the AP: "I would not have run that ad." Lydia Mihalik, a member of Gov. Mike DeWine's Cabinet, said: "I don't have to agree with Amy Acton's politics to believe that exploiting someone's childhood trauma is wrong." Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) called it "the most shameful, disgusting, offensive ad this election season," and Nikki Haley said Ramaswamy "is a bad guy" (Time, NBC). Several people on Ramaswamy's campaign previously worked for Vance, NBC noted.

Where the race stands

Time cites a Marist University poll released this week showing Acton leading Ramaswamy by 7 points. ABC News described the race as a toss-up. Time noted that Donald Trump has won Ohio three times, never by fewer than 8 points. One poll is a snapshot, and the ad's effect on voters has not been measured yet.

What to watch

The $4 million buy puts the ad on Ohio television through the final stretch. Watch for new public polling, any debate between the two, and whether more Republicans on the ballot distance themselves. For voting details ahead of November 3, see the Ohio Secretary of State.

Sources: NBC News, ABC News, Time, all October 20 to 22, 2026. Quotes are attributed to the people named; we have not independently verified the ad's contents.