Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign is facing bipartisan backlash over an attack ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. The video has drawn condemnation from prominent Republicans even as Ramaswamy’s campaign prepares to spend millions putting it before Ohio voters.

The ad features Donna Arthur, whom Acton has accused of neglecting her during a traumatic childhood. Arthur calls Acton “a liar” about her past and urges Ohio voters not to support her campaign for governor.

Acton has said her stepfather raped her when she was a child and that Arthur remained with him after he was criminally charged. According to Acton, he remained at large for more than two decades until his death.

Acton has said she and Arthur have not spoken since 1978 and described her mother as “clearly not well.” Arthur has disputed Acton’s allegations.

The video has circulated online but has not yet aired on television. Ramaswamy’s Trump endorsed campaign is standing by the ad and plans to spend $4 million airing it, Axios reported.

According to AdImpact, the campaign added $4.5 million in advertising spending and reservations on Wednesday, most of which would presumably be devoted to the video. A Ramaswamy spokesperson did not immediately respond to MS NOW’s request for comment.

Vice President JD Vance defended the ad while campaigning in Ohio on Wednesday. His appearance marked his second visit to the state in two weeks as Republicans worried about tight races for governor and the U.S. Senate.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie sharply criticized Vance’s position. “Vance’s acceptance of this campaign ad only breathes life into the disease that we should be seeking to cure,” Christie told The Washington Post.

Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development under Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, also objected. She wrote on X that disagreeing with Acton politically did not require her to defend the campaign’s tactics.

“I haven’t changed my political beliefs. I’m simply unwilling to set aside my personal values to defend a political ad,” Mihalik wrote. A top official in DeWine’s administration separately said that “exploiting someone’s childhood trauma is wrong.”

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican candidate for state auditor, said his office was reviewing complaints and ensuring the video complied with the law. He also made clear that he wanted some distance from Ramaswamy’s decision.

“Candidates will answer for their own ads,” LaRose told WSYX. “I probably wouldn’t run an ad like that, but every candidate gets to make their own decision.”

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called Ramaswamy a “bad guy.” Haley, who endured personal attacks from him during the 2024 Republican presidential primary, wrote on social media that it was “a shame he continues to get away with it.”

GOP pollster Frank Luntz described the advertisement as a “Hail Mary” intended to increase turnout for Ramaswamy. He added that “Vivek’s team is hoping voters don’t dig into” the details surrounding Acton’s relationship with Arthur.

Summit County Republican Party Chair Bryan Williams offered a different response, saying none of his constituents had contacted him about the video. “This commercial is a punctuation of the fact that Amy Acton is not mentally stable and as a result shouldn’t be governor,” Williams told MS NOW.

Don Kissick, Ohio’s Libertarian candidate for governor, predicted severe electoral consequences for Ramaswamy. “This is going to cost Mr. Ramaswamy the election right here,” Kissick said in a Facebook video. “He obviously has no respect for anyone’s humanity. If he did, this wouldn’t be a thing.”

The backlash has helped fuel a late fundraising boost for Acton while early voting is underway. Illinois first lady MK Pritzker, the wife of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, announced Wednesday that she would donate $500,000 to Acton’s campaign.

Acton held a 5 point advantage over Ramaswamy in a polling average from MS NOW partner FiftyPlusOne. Her campaign responded Tuesday evening with a video featuring her brother, Philip Stearns, although AdImpact reported that the campaign had not purchased airtime for it.

Stearns said Acton was abused by her stepfather when she was as young as 11. “To think that that’s somehow a talking point, shame on Vivek,” he said.