President Donald Trump renewed his defense of Vivek Ramaswamy’s disputed Ohio campaign ad Wednesday, as Bloomberg reported concern that its backlash could hurt Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s Senate bid.
At an Ohio University rally in Chillicothe, Trump repeated claims made in the spot and said Ramaswamy had been treated “very unfairly.” Ramaswamy is challenging Democratic nominee Amy Acton, a former state health director. Bloomberg reported that the rally was Trump’s first visit to Ohio since the dispute emerged.
Acton called the ad “despicable.” She has said her estranged mother is unwell and accused Ramaswamy’s campaign of exploiting their estrangement.
Bloomberg reported that the campaign has committed $4 million to support the ad. The report said Republicans fear the controversy could hurt candidates beyond the governor’s contest, with Husted’s Senate bid a particular concern.
Husted, the Republican incumbent, is running against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. He has distanced his campaign from the ad, telling reporters this week, “I said I wouldn’t have run the ad, but we’re past that. I’m running against Sherrod Brown.”
RealClearPolitics’ polling average showed Brown leading Husted by more than 3 percentage points, while the Cook Political Report rated the Senate contest a toss-up. In the governor’s race, RealClearPolitics had Acton ahead by more than 4 points, and Cook rated that contest as leaning Democratic.
A person working to elect Republicans nationally told Bloomberg the ad’s fallout could contribute to a Husted defeat. Bloomberg reported that control of the Senate remains uncertain and cited voter frustration over household costs and rising energy prices amid the war on Iran. The report also noted that Trump carried Ohio in all three of his presidential campaigns.
EconoTimes previously covered Trump’s defense of the ad and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s call for its removal.
Ohio voters will choose a governor and senator on Nov. 3.
