Ohio venues cancel Vivek Ramaswamy campaign stops amid ad backlash
At least two Ohio venues have reportedly cancelled or removed campaign stops for Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy as criticism grows over an advert featuring his Democratic opponent Amy Acton’s estranged mother. The dispute matters because the advert challenges Acton’s account of her childhood, including abuse she has said she suffered, and has drawn objections from senior Republicans.
Ramaswamy’s campaign took responsibility for the advert, which reportedly received $4 million in promotion; Ramaswamy has defended it as an attack on Acton’s credibility. Old Dog Ale House & Brewery cancelled a Friday event, a planned Sunday appearance at CrossPointe Church disappeared from the tour schedule, and a Trumbull County stop was listed without a venue. Governor Mike DeWine called the advert “wrong” and urged Ramaswamy to remove it; a Fox News poll put Acton at 50 per cent and Ramaswamy at 48 per cent.
In short
- At least two venues reportedly dropped Ramaswamy campaign events.
- The cancellations followed backlash over an advert about Amy Acton.
- A Fox News poll put Acton two points ahead.
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The case for
Venues can reasonably decide that hosting a campaign event would associate them with an advert they consider harmful or inconsistent with their values, particularly given its use of a family member to dispute a candidate’s account of childhood abuse. Cancelling the stops may also be a way to make clear that access to a venue is not unconditional political endorsement.
The case against
Campaign venues may reasonably argue that cancelling scheduled appearances in response to political pressure restricts a candidate’s opportunity to speak and voters’ chance to hear from him. Ramaswamy’s campaign says the advert is intended to challenge Acton’s credibility, and venues could instead host the events while making clear that hosting does not mean endorsing the advert or the candidate.
Explained simply
Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton are the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor of Ohio. The governor leads the state government, so the contest concerns decisions affecting Ohio and its residents.
Ramaswamy’s campaign has aired an advert featuring Acton’s estranged mother and disputing aspects of Acton’s account of her childhood. Acton has said she suffered abuse; the advert has prompted criticism, including from Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who has called it wrong.
Some venues have reportedly cancelled or removed planned Ramaswamy campaign appearances amid the backlash. The dispute matters because it has become part of the election campaign and raised questions about how candidates challenge their opponents.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Jittery venues nuke Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign tour as backlash swells over estranged mom ad”.