Ramaswamy keeps ad; DOJ sues to cancel Alaska Senate race

Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for Ohio governor, has refused to pull an attack ad that targeted his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, and President Trump has backed the decision. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has asked a federal judge to intervene in the Alaska U.S. Senate race, a move that could reshape that contest. The two stories highlight how mid‑term campaigns are turning increasingly aggressive and how federal authorities are stepping in to enforce election rules.

The Ohio ad, released a week before the November election, shows Acton’s estranged mother calling her daughter a liar and urging voters not to support her. The footage omits the context that Acton has spoken publicly about sexual abuse by her stepfather, a claim that her mother also supports. The ad sparked outrage from Democrats, the current Republican governor, and many voters. Ramaswamy’s campaign team defended the ad, arguing that it was a legitimate political attack. Trump, who has long been involved in Ohio politics, told Ramaswamy to keep the ad running, a move that critics say shows the president’s willingness to endorse divisive tactics. The controversy has already begun to divide the Republican base in Ohio and may hurt the party’s prospects in other races, including the Senate seat held by incumbent Jon Husted.

In Alaska, the DOJ filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to order a halt to the Senate race. The state uses ranked‑choice voting, which sends the top candidates to the general election regardless of party. The lawsuit alleges that the campaign for incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan has engaged in illegal conduct, possibly involving campaign finance violations or other election‑law infractions. By seeking a judicial order, the DOJ is attempting to enforce federal election rules and prevent potential misconduct that could affect the outcome. The case is still in its early stages, but it could set a precedent for how federal agencies intervene in state elections.

The two developments underscore the growing tension between campaign strategies and legal boundaries. Ramaswamy’s refusal to withdraw the ad shows how candidates are willing to gamble on polarizing content, while the DOJ’s lawsuit signals that federal authorities are prepared to step in when election laws are at risk. As the November elections approach, Ohio voters will watch whether the ad’s backlash hurts the Republican ticket, and Alaskans will see whether the lawsuit changes the Senate race. Both stories illustrate that the political climate is becoming more contentious and that legal mechanisms are being used to check campaign excesses.