President Trump spent this week in Florida rallying for the Republican Senate and governor candidates while early voting continues across the Suncoast. But a lot of the conversation isn’t about Florida at all. Trump defended a controversial Ohio ad featuring the estranged mother of Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the ad “deeply, deeply troubling” and urged GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to take it down, though DeWine kept his endorsement. Trump said he told Ramaswamy to leave it up.
If you’re wondering about the backstory, Acton has said publicly that her stepfather sexually abused her as a child and that she’s been estranged from her mother since. The ad centers on that relationship, which is why it’s drawing attention far beyond Ohio.
The national ground game is picking up too. Pete Buttigieg endorsed independent Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar over the Democratic nominee, and Democrat David Jolly rallied voters at FAMU in Tallahassee with Keisha Lance Bottoms and his running mate Gwen Graham. Here at home, ballots are moving, so make your plan if you haven’t voted yet. Is a candidate’s family ever fair game in a campaign ad? Share your take with us.
