Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate for governor of Ohio, confirmed on Tuesday that his campaign is responsible for a controversial new attack ad targeting his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. The advertisement features Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who urges voters to oppose her daughter’s candidacy.

According to reports, the ad includes claims from Arthur that label Acton a "liar" and suggests that the candidate struggles with mental health issues. While the campaign has acknowledged its role in producing the content, the move has sparked intense public criticism. The Washington Examiner reports that the campaign is moving forward with a $4 million media buy to circulate the ad despite the negative response.

There is a slight discrepancy in the reporting regarding the scope of the campaign's involvement. The Hill focuses on the confirmation of the campaign's role in the ad's production, while the Washington Examiner emphasizes the financial scale of the effort, noting a $4 million investment. Additionally, the outlets differ in how they characterize the mother's statements; The Hill highlights the specific allegations of dishonesty and mental health concerns, whereas the Washington Examiner focuses on the mother's direct plea to voters to reject Acton's bid for office.