Ohio Governor Race: Ramaswamy Spending Tops $51 Million
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign for Ohio governor is facing a heavy financial burden, with $41.3 million in outstanding debt reported as of mid-October. The Republican candidate, who is of Indian descent, is competing against Democrat Amy Acton in one of the most closely watched contests ahead of the November election.
Campaign finance data covering the period up to October 14 shows Acton raising $3.9 million, with $3.6 million remaining in her bank account. Ramaswamy raised $1.5 million over the same period and had $2.4 million available.
Ramaswamy, a biotech businessman who once campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination, has spent $51.2 million in his first run for public office. Media advertising absorbed $28.5 million of that spending, the largest share, while digital consulting took $7.3 million.
His disclosures also include $5 million in other income from the candidate and reference $41.3 million in loans the committee owes him.
Acton has spent $26.3 million since winning her party's primary without opposition. Of that, $18.5 million went to media ads and $2.2 million to digital promotion.
Ramaswamy's campaign has drawn significant support from corporate and individual donors. The Elevance Health PAC gave the largest contribution, $16,615, followed by American Electric Power at $15,000. Subhash Patel, chief executive of Natson Hotels, Anthony White of Blacklick, and New York investors Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss each donated the maximum legal amount of $16,615.
Republicans hold a clear edge in advertising despite Acton's fundraising lead. Ad-tracking figures show Republicans and allied groups have spent $143.9 million on ads in the race, compared with $45 million from Democrats. Ramaswamy has added $2.8 million in new ad reservations, bringing his future bookings to $14.8 million, while Democrats have booked $8 million.
The race has also drawn attention from forecasters, who shifted their rating on October 22, moving the contest from a toss-up to leaning Democratic.
A recent $4 million ad featuring Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, with whom Acton has an estranged relationship, has generated controversy. In the ad, Arthur describes Ramaswamy as a liar. Ramaswamy responded at a bus tour kickoff in Strongsville, accusing the “bad and failing media” of lying about an ad he said was itself based on a lie. He said the ad had nothing to do with childhood abuse and promised to act against such cases if elected.
Court documents obtained by a national news network show that Acton's stepfather, Claudith Arthur, was arrested in 1978 on charges of raping a child under 13 and was indicted by a grand jury. Acton has said she has not seen or spoken with her mother in roughly 50 years.
Outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine said on Thursday that the ad is serious, is wrong, and should be taken down.
The campaign tour was scheduled to continue to Powell and conclude Friday night at the Circleville Pumpkin Show. Ohio votes on November 3.