When the history of the 2026 midterm elections is written, the most remembered political advertisement will be Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s (R) commercial starring the mother of his opponent, Dr. Amy Acton (D).

Acton was called a “ liar ” by her mother, who fled the state along with her abusive husband after he was charged with raping Acton, his stepdaughter. Removed from her home by the state of Ohio, Acton had not seen her mother since 1978.

Ramaswamy’s advertisement generated an immediate political backlash. Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, urged Ramaswamy to take it off the air . Local businesses canceled events featuring the beleaguered Republican candidate. And the Cleveland Plain Dealer endorsed Acton, saying that Ramaswamy had “ crossed a line .”

But President Trump and JD Vance doubled down in backing Ramaswamy.…