Illinois First Lady Gives $500,000 to Amy Acton’s Ohio Campaign After Ramaswamy Attack Ad

Mary Kathryn Pritzker, the first lady of Illinois, has donated $500,000 to the Ohio gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Amy Acton, stepping into the race after criticism of an attack ad from Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign that features Acton’s estranged mother, according to reporting by the Chicago Tribune.

The contribution followed Ramaswamy’s campaign release of the ad, which Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said should be taken down, the Dispatch reported. Ramaswamy’s campaign planned to spend $4 million promoting the spot.

In a statement to the Tribune, Pritzker said she would not sit by while Ramaswamy exploits “a highly qualified woman’s pain for political gain.” “There comes a time when simply condemning someone’s actions isn’t enough,” she said. “We have to put it all on the line to defeat these MAGA men.”

The ad at the center of the dispute

The ad features Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, the Dispatch reported. According to the paper, Arthur lost custody of Acton and her brother in 1978 after Acton’s stepfather was indicted on charges that he sexually abused Acton.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also weighed in, writing on X that Ramaswamy had “reached a new low” after releasing the advertisement.

Ohio governor’s race

Acton and Ramaswamy are running for Ohio governor, with Election Day set for Nov. 3. Early in-person voting in Ohio began Oct. 6 and runs through Nov. 1, with mail-in ballots due by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day in most cases, according to the Dispatch.

Reporting based on coverage by the Chicago Tribune and The Columbus Dispatch.