CLEVELAND — Former President Barack Obama excoriated Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy for his attack ad with Democratic opponent Amy Acton’s estranged mother during his first rally of the 2026 midterm election cycle in Cleveland.
“There is no line he will not cross, no low he will not sink to, to try to get in the limelight,” Obama told a crowd gathered in the Cleveland Public Auditorium on Saturday, describing Ramaswamy as being “thirsty” for attention.
“There is a decency we should expect from our public officials,” he added. “There is no office that is worth stopping that low.”
Ramaswamy’s ad has dominated national politics since it was disseminated on Monday, with even President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance having to defend it in the face of criticism from other Republicans, including Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH).
Acton, who attended the rally with Ohio Democratic Senate nominee Sherrod Brown, opened her remarks by acknowledging the ad and thanking her supporters for their support over the past week.
The candidate then criticized Ramaswamy for “[exploiting her] childhood to save his struggling campaign, but it is not going to work.”
“It’s not going to work because compassion and decency still matter,” she said. “Mr. Ramaswamy, you are not just out of touch. You’re out for yourself, and you’re a danger to my state.”
OHIO RACES LAUNCH INCREASINGLY PERSONAL ATTACKS AS ELECTION DAY LOOMS LARGE
Acton is averaging a 4-point lead over Ramaswamy, according to RealClearPolitics.
The Cook Political Report changed the race’s rating this week after the ad’s release from “toss-up” to “lean Democratic.”