Acton: ‘No intention’ of speaking with Ramaswamy after ‘beyond the pale’ ad

Ohio Gov.-elect Amy Acton (D) said Friday she does not plan to speak with her former opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, after he ran a controversial attack ad against her in the final weeks of the campaign.

Ramaswamy debuted an ad featuring Acton’s mother, who lost custody of her daughter when Acton was 12, in which she called her daughter a “liar” and encouraged Ohioans not to vote for her. Acton’s stepfather was charged with sexually abusing her, and her mother remained with him until his death.

In a Friday interview on “CBS Mornings,” Acton said she did not take Ramaswamy’s concession phone call because she did not want to “normalize” his behavior.

“I think we can’t normalize behavior like this. It was so beyond the pale,” Acton told CBS News. “So no, I have no intention of speaking to him. I do believe that leaders’ words matter, and we need to hold folks accountable.”

Acton said Friday that Ramaswamy’s use of the ad was “terrible and despicable.”

“I would like to say I didn’t expect this, but there was no low my opponent wouldn’t sink to. These ads had been full of lies and hate and vitriol the entire campaign,” Acton said.

Acton defeated Ramaswamy in the gubernatorial race by a margin of nearly 8 points Tuesday, and she will be the first woman to serve as governor of Ohio.

Ramaswamy’s ad drew harsh criticism and pushback from members of both parties, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and former Gov. John Kasich (R). But President Trump and Vice President Vance both defended the tactic, with Vance even saying he was “disgusted” by Republicans who criticized the ad.

In his concession speech Tuesday night, Ramaswamy struck a conciliatory tone .

“It was a tough race. It was bitter, at times, in both directions,” Ramaswamy said. “I have hope and confidence that she will do what is required to bring Ohio together.”

Acton similarly said people are “tired of the hate” and are ready for “decency.”

“People are exhausted of living this way. They’re tired of the hate and chaos and vitriol,” Acton told CBS News. “Kindness isn’t weakness, and that is a big message we saw. People are ready for public service, unity, and decency.”