Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign recently faced a challenge when it removed a man with a significant criminal record from an advertisement supporting his bid for Ohio governor. Vernon Edwards was featured in the ad alongside his wife, Patricia “Patty” Edwards, focusing on concerns about rising property taxes. Newsweek confirmed Edwards’ criminal history through an Ohio appeals court decision, and the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office registry lists him as subject to lifetime sex offender registration.
The Ramaswamy campaign stated it was unaware of Edwards’ background when the commercial was created. Campaign spokesperson Evan Machan mentioned, “This ad was based on a real interaction at a county fair, and we had no knowledge of the reported circumstances. The man has been removed from the ad.” He emphasized that property taxes are causing many Ohio residents to consider relocating and that Ramaswamy is committed to addressing the issue.
Background on the Advertisement
The advertisement originated from a meeting Ramaswamy had with Patty and Vernon Edwards at the Lorain County Fair in September. During this encounter, Vernon Edwards interacted with Ramaswamy, while Patty expressed emotional concerns about property taxes potentially forcing their family from their home.
Weeks after the meeting, the campaign produced an ad featuring Patty Edwards addressing her fears, with her husband included in some footage from the meeting. The Bulwark first reported on Edwards’ inclusion in the ad and the campaign’s decision to remove him after learning of his background.
This incident has raised questions about the campaign’s vetting procedures, as Edwards’ conviction details were available in public records. The campaign did not specify what checks were conducted before creating the ad.
Response from Rival Campaign
Dr. Amy Acton’s campaign, Ramaswamy’s Democratic opponent, responded strongly to the controversy. They criticized the campaign’s decision to feature Edwards as disqualifying and questioned Ramaswamy’s judgment. Acton’s campaign argued that he had intentionally amplified Edwards, an assertion Ramaswamy’s team denies.
The Ramaswamy campaign reiterated that the ad aimed to highlight the pressures of rising property taxes and maintained Edwards was removed once his history was revealed. Patty Edwards later defended her participation, emphasizing that the campaign approached her and not her husband.
Current Political Climate
Ramaswamy and Acton are competing to succeed Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. According to the latest RealClearPolling average, Acton has a 4-point lead over Ramaswamy, with 48.1 percent compared to 44.1 percent, based on polls from mid-September to early October.
While Ramaswamy’s campaign intends to refocus on property-tax issues highlighted in the ad, Acton’s team is leveraging the situation to question his judgment as the gubernatorial race continues.
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