Jennings: Ramaswamy’s campaign tactics ‘worst politics you could imagine’

Republican commentator Scott Jennings took a swipe at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R) for using a controversial campaign ad featuring his opponent’s estranged mother.

The ad, which Ramaswamy’s campaign is now spending $4 million to broadcast statewide, features Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, accusing Acton of being a “liar” her whole life.

Acton was removed from her mother’s custody at age 12 after her stepfather was charged with sexually abusing her. Arthur remained with Acton’s stepfather until his death.

According to legal filings Acton’s campaign shared with The Hill, Arthur was previously convicted with theft and animal cruelty, though one of her sentences was vacated.

Jennings, a Trump ally who frequently defends the president and the GOP on CNN, joins a growing list of Republicans pushing back against the ad.

The conservative political commentator told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Friday that the ad is “not good” morally and is a political misstep.

“What you’re talking about here is Amy Acton’s mother is basically saying, ‘I don’t trust 12-year-old Amy Acton, who was quite possibly raped in my own home, to be governor,’” Jennings said. “It’s a ludicrous sort of argument that they’re making.”

“This is probably the worst politics you could imagine, and it’s bringing a lot of attention to Amy Acton’s story, her narrative,” he added.

Ramaswamy has doubled down on the ad, accusing Acton of “lying about an ad that is about lying.” President Trump and Vice President Vance have repeatedly defended the Ohio Republican, with Vance saying he was “disgusted” by those in his party who criticized use of the ad.

Trump continues to say that he trusts Acton’s mother, and told reporters at the White House Friday that he did not “know anything about a stepfather,” telling the reporter who asked the question to be “quiet.”

“Vivek should keep it up,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post on Thursday.

Jennings said the White House “absolutely” could brief the president on Acton’s side of the story.

”I don’t know what he knows or what he doesn’t know,” Jennings said. “They absolutely could [brief him], and if they did, he would learn the terrible details of this.”

Polling suggests Acton’s lead in the gubernatorial race was already growing ahead of the scandal, and nonpartisan election forecaster Decision Desk HQ gives Acton a 62 percent chance of beating Ramaswamy.

Jennings said the ad could have backfired because it does not help the former presidential candidate’s likability, which the CNN commentator said is one of his biggest challenges in this election.

“One of Ramaswamy’s key candidate deficiencies is likability. Not certain this is doing anything to help that,” Jennings said. “It was a problem for him in the ‘24 presidential primary, and it’s a problem for him in this governor’s race.”