‘Little bit disgusted’: JD Vance defends Vivek Ramaswamy after campaign spends $4 million on controversial attack ad. Then he calls out his own party

Vice President JD Vance pushed back against fellow Republicans who objected to a television advertisement from Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor. Speaking Wednesday at a fraud task force press conference, Vance said he was bothered by the level of criticism coming from inside his party. According to The Hill, he stated that some members appeared more upset about the commercial than about Democratic plans for the country.

The advertisement shows Ramaswamy’s opponent Amy Acton’s mother describing her daughter as a “liar” and saying “my daughter needs help.” Ramaswamy confirmed on Tuesday that the spot came from his own campaign. Axios reported the same day that the campaign intends to spend $4 million to place the advertisement on air across Ohio. Democrats and some Republicans have called for the commercial to be pulled because of its personal content.

Acton’s brother released a statement and a separate video within hours of the original advertisement. He said the family has been estranged from their mother for years after she remained married to the man who sexually abused Acton when she was young. He noted that Acton was removed from her mother’s care at the age of 12, a fact the Ramaswamy advertisement does not mention.

Campaign spending and family statements shape debate in Ohio race

Vance, a former U.S. senator from Ohio, appeared with Ramaswamy at a rally in the state later on Wednesday and defended the decision to run the commercial. He said, “Vivek Ramaswamy had the audacity to run a TV commercial which calls it out like it is and calls Amy Acton a liar.”

He added, “Whatever you think about any of the TV advertisements, focus on the substance and focus on the facts.” Ramaswamy’s rally appearances have drawn notice before, including the time he tried to lift a child at a rally. 

At the earlier press conference, Vance returned to his criticism of Republicans who have objected to the advertisement. He said, “I have to admit that I’m a little bit disgusted when I see Republicans across the country who are whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional Democrats and other Democrats want to do to the United States of America.” He made clear that his priority remains which party will hold key offices.

Acton currently leads in recent polls in what remains a competitive contest. Decision Desk HQ now gives her a 60 percent chance of defeating Ramaswamy. Vance said he is not concerned with debates over the advertisement itself and is instead focused on the outcome of the race.

He stated, “Whether the ad was appropriate or not is not really my concern.” He continued, “What is my concern is who is going to govern the next generation of American government, who is going to win the Senate race in the state of Ohio, who is going to win the governor’s race in the state of Ohio?” Vance told other elected Republicans that politics is difficult and urged them to concentrate on winning.

He added, “Politics is a tough business.” He said, “My message to my fellow elected Republicans is if you actually believe in the things you say you believe in, stop whining about an advertisement and go win the race in 13 days.” The exchange highlighted the differing reactions to the advertisement within the Republican Party as early voting continues in the state.