Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) has publicly criticized a campaign advertisement released by Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy. The ad features the estranged mother of Ramaswamy’s Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, a move that DeWine described as "deeply, deeply troubling" while speaking to reporters at the Ohio Statehouse.

While the governor has expressed strong disapproval regarding the content of the advertisement, he has not withdrawn his support for Ramaswamy. DeWine, who is currently serving his final term and is ineligible for reelection, has previously endorsed Ramaswamy as his preferred successor for the governor's office. The controversy centers on the campaign's decision to utilize a family member with whom the candidate's opponent has a strained relationship, a tactic that has drawn scrutiny from the state's top Republican official.

Sources agree that DeWine made the request to pull the ad during a press appearance at the Statehouse. The reporting remains consistent regarding the governor's dual stance: condemning the specific campaign tactic while continuing to back the candidate's overall bid for office. No further statements from the Ramaswamy campaign regarding a potential removal of the ad have been reported by these outlets.