Republicans Drag Opponents' Families Into 2026 Midterms as Polls Show Tight Races 13 Days Out
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 21
Republicans Drag Opponents' Families Into 2026 Midterms as Polls Show Tight Races 13 Days Out
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 21
Summary
13 days before the midterms, Republican campaigns in Maine, Ohio and Michigan have intensified attacks on Democratic rivals through their relatives, targeting Troy Jackson’s partner, Amy Acton’s mother and Abdul El-Sayed’s family ties.
The push comes as Republicans search for a closing message in key races where some candidates are trailing, with operatives arguing family-based attacks are now fair game even as Acton’s case drew especially sharp backlash.
Ohio became the clearest flashpoint after Vivek Ramaswamy spent $4 million on an ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother calling her a liar; Republicans including Meghan McCain condemned it, while JD Vance dismissed complaints.
Democrats have tried to turn the attacks against the GOP, with Acton airing her brother’s defense and Jackson’s partner publishing an essay after a Senate Leadership Fund ad mocked their relationship.
The family-focused tactics mark a break from norms defended by John McCain and Barack Obama in 2008, underscoring how personal attacks once treated as off-limits have spread across both parties.