Politics tends to be a heated topic of conversation due to the different viewpoints and beliefs shared around the nation and world. Every year, elections create debate and sometimes animosity between different political parties, as everyone wants their candidates to win. The candidates, who also want to win, will sometimes go to extreme lengths to get an edge on their opponents. 

This year’s Ohio election for governor was between Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic candidate Amy Acton. Ramaswamy graduated from Harvard University and later earned a law degree from Yale Law School. He utilized his education to create an impressive business resume. He also ran for president in 2024 but later withdrew and backed Donald Trump. The other candidate, however, Amy Acton overcame a difficult, poverty-marked childhood to earn a Bachelor of Science from Youngstown State University, a medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University, and a Master of Public Health from Ohio State University. Acton was awarded many prestigious achievements in healthcare and is now running for governor. 

One of these candidates went to extreme measures to gain votes, even if these measures were extremely controversial. Recently, Ramaswamy created a questionable advertisement aiming to undermine his competitor’s campaign and boost his own. 

In response to the campaign, Junior Beckett Williams said, “I have seen controversial advertisements and opinions before, but this one shocked me. Through further investigation, I realized the weight the advertisement carried and why Acton’s group was upset.” 

Ramaswamy’s advertisement included a video of Acton’s “estranged mother” that she accused of “abusing her” to “urge voters” not to support her in the race. The video shows her mother, Donna Arthur, saying that she loves her, but that she has lied about her past and has serious problems. The advertisement was met with strong backlash, especially from her brother, who said, “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 12 years old from our birth mother’s husband into a political talking point ABC7.” Ramaswamy claimed the advertisement was legitimate, and that he wanted to highlight how Acton has issues with telling the truth, adding that she lied about Ramaswamy and his family. 

Acton pushed back in an interview, and the campaign released a video featuring Stearn shaming Ramaswamy for his actions. Additionally, Acton has been open with her “tumultuous” relationship with her mother and her “experience with abuse,” ABC7.

Junior Benji Izmirlic said, “I think Ramaswamy’s actions were out of line and uncouth. Politics will have friendly banter, but this was taken too far.” 

The advertisement has since been taken down, but it could have harmed Ramaswamy’s campaign due to the sensitive topic it addresses. As elections continue, it will be exciting to watch who pulls away and claims the title of Ohio governor.