Ramaswamy bus tour shifts venues amid ad controversy
The Ohio Republican ticket relocated three stops this week while facing criticism over a commercial featuring the gubernatorial nominee's estranged mother.
By Evelyn Henderson ·
Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and incumbent Senator Jon Husted are driving across Ohio in a bright red bus to meet voters in the final days before the November election. The statewide ticket has relocated at least three scheduled events since last week, according to an original itinerary. These changes included moving stops from Old Dog Alehouse & Brewery in Delaware and Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl in Zanesville to other venues.
On Tuesday morning, approximately 100 voters gathered inside a Vance Outdoors hunting store in Hebron. A large American flag hung below taxidermied wildlife in the venue. Ramaswamy was joined by his running mate, Senate President Rob McColley, and other candidates including attorney general hopeful Keith Faber and secretary of state candidate Robert Sprague. Incumbent Justice Dan Hawkins and Colleen O'Donnell, who are running for the Ohio Supreme Court, also attended the event.
Ramaswamy addressed the crowd about the upcoming election cycle. “This next week determines the future of our state, and I think this election comes down to two basic questions. Put aside all of the media, the noise, the 30-second bits,” he said. He added, “Who do you think is going to bring the American Dream back to being a reality in this state?”
The Hebron stop was originally planned for Elliot’s Wood Fired Kitchen nearby. That venue could not be reached for comment regarding the change. Spokespeople for the Ohio GOP and the Ramaswamy campaign declined to explain the venue shifts when asked. Ramaswamy departed for his next stop in Mt. Vernon without taking questions from journalists.
The schedule changes coincide with political fallout over a television advertisement. The ad features Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton. In the spot, Arthur describes Acton as a “liar.” Arthur lost custody of Acton in 1978 after her husband was charged with the 12-year-old’s rape. The pair left Ohio, and Cledith Arthur was never convicted of the crime.
Several GOP candidates, including Husted, have distanced themselves from the advertisement. This stance contrasts with President Donald Trump and Ramaswamy, who have continued to support the ad. Acton responded to the commercial in a recent interview. “It’s awful see her this way,” Acton said. She noted that her opponent took advantage of someone who is older and clearly not well.
Voters will select a new slate of statewide leaders on Tuesday, the first such complete turnover in eight years.
Source: WVXU
