Cook Political Shifts Ohio Governor Race to Lean D as $4 Million Ramaswamy Ad Backfires
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 23
Cook Political Shifts Ohio Governor Race to Lean D as $4 Million Ramaswamy Ad Backfires
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 23
Summary
Cook Political Report moved Ohio’s governor race from toss-up to Lean D on Friday, saying backlash to Vivek Ramaswamy’s latest attack ad may be pushing the contest toward Democrat Amy Acton.
The ad features Acton’s mother calling her “a liar,” despite the two having been estranged since 1978 after abuse allegations involving the mother’s husband led to Acton and her brother being removed from the home.
Ramaswamy’s campaign still plans to spend $4 million airing the spot, even after bipartisan criticism that included Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
Acton allies cautioned that the race remains highly competitive because Ramaswamy has heavily outspent her and Ohio has not elected a Democratic governor in 20 years.
The rating shift nonetheless signals unusual Democratic momentum in a state that has trended reliably Republican over the past decade.