With less than two weeks remaining before Ohio’s general election, political tensions escalated after a controversial advertisement surfaced in the gubernatorial race, prompting widespread criticism from across the political spectrum.

Vice President JD Vance, campaigning for Republicans nationwide, defended the ad during events in his home state on Wednesday. Speaking first at a Cincinnati FBI field office about fraud enforcement, Vance dismissed objections from fellow Republicans who found the ad objectionable. “Politics is a tough business,” he said, urging GOP members to focus on winning the election rather than criticizing the advertisement, which targeted Democrat candidate Amy Acton.

Later, at a rally supporting Ohio Republican candidates including Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Yale Law School classmate of Vance, the vice president reiterated his support for the contentious commercial. He accused Democrats of deploying “every dirty trick” against Ramaswamy and mocked the backlash over the ad’s tone. Vance suggested that candidates overly concerned with personal attacks are unfit for leadership in Ohio.

The ad, which did not initially carry the legally required sponsor disclaimer, was widely condemned when it first appeared. Ramaswamy’s campaign initially declined to acknowledge involvement but later confirmed it had produced the commercial and planned to spend $4.5 million to air it across Ohio media markets. The ad prominently highlighted a critical statement from Acton’s mother, drawing sharp rebuke from Acton’s campaign. Spokesperson Addie Bullock described the advertisement as “repulsive” and accused Ramaswamy of prioritizing personal gain over ethical considerations.

The advertisement also drew criticism from figures beyond Ohio’s political scene. Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Republican Senator John McCain, denounced it on social media as “dastardly” and called out the consultants behind the ad.

Longtime Ohio resident Kevin Morhman expressed dismay at the aggressive campaign tactics, noting that such negative advertising was atypical for the state’s political contests. “That was something that the old Republican Party would have just shut down themselves,” Morhman said.

Ohio, traditionally a reliably Republican state, has seen unexpectedly competitive races this year. Democrat Amy Acton has gained momentum against Ramaswamy, and former Senator Sherrod Brown has made strides against Republican incumbent Jon Husted, who has distanced himself from the Ramaswamy ad, stating he “would not have run that ad.” A recent Marist poll showed Acton leading by seven points among likely voters, while Brown led Husted by four.

While the governorship contest will determine statewide leadership, a Brown victory in the Senate race would be crucial for Democrats’ efforts to shift the chamber’s balance of power. Acton’s surge in a traditionally red state signals potential challenges for the Republican Party amid President Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings.