Ohio's Governor Race Tilts Blue as Ramaswamy's Attack Ad Triggers Bipartisan Revolt

CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO - OCTOBER 23: A parade moves down a street at the annual Circleville Pumpkin Show on October 23, 2026 in Circleville, Ohio. Republican candidate for governor Vivek Ramaswamy joined other Republicans in the parade. Ramaswamy is running against Amy Acton (D), a physician and former state health director, in a campaign that has featured numerous personal attack ads. Even though Trump carried Ohio by 8 to 11 points in all three of his runs for the presidency, current polling has consistently favored Acton and other Democrats. (Credit: Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The Briefing

• Vivek Ramaswamy closed his statewide bus tour at Ohio's Circleville Pumpkin Show on Thursday, refusing afterward to address the bipartisan backlash over a $4 million campaign ad featuring his opponent's estranged mother—who calls Amy Acton "a liar" on camera.
• Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted Ohio's governor race from Toss-Up to Leans Democratic the same day, and Kalshi prediction markets now price Acton's chances of winning at approximately 78%.
• With ten days until November 3, the RCP polling average has Acton leading 48.5%–44.9%, and Democrats have not won Ohio's governorship since 2006.