Ohio Governor 2026: the ads, and who's paying for them
Amy Acton (Democrat), Vivek Ramaswamy (Republican) and Don Kissick (Libertarian) are the candidates for governor of Ohio in the November 3, 2026 general election. Semblen has analyzed 60 ads in this race; 42 used at least one manipulation technique, most often loaded language and appeal to prejudice. Next date for voters: Last day to request a mail ballot: Tue, Oct 27.
Amy Acton (DEM), Vivek Ramaswamy (REP), Don Kissick (LIB).
On the ballot as listed by Ballotpedia. 60 ads analyzed, 42 with at least one technique in the copy.
Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing. Updated 2026-10-08. 1 ad from other advertisers shown separately below.
From Ohio's official election office. Each line links to the official page it came from.
Next: Last day to request a mail ballot: Tue, Oct 27 (in 19 days)
Registration
Register by Mon, Oct 5 (30th day before is Sun Oct 4; SOS says the deadline is Oct 5. Mail applications must be postmarked by the 30th day before) (passed)Source: codes.ohio.gov ↗Source: ohiosos.gov ↗
Anyone can vote by mail; request a ballot by Tue, Oct 27 (received by county board by close of business, 7th day before the election); return it by Tue, Nov 3 (received by county board by close of polls (7:30 p.m.); postmark grace period repealed by SB 293; UOCAVA exception)Source: codes.ohio.gov ↗Source: codes.ohio.gov ↗
41 of 59 (69%) flagged · Loaded Language (32), Appeal to Prejudice (22), Appeal to Fear (20)
YouTube
1 of 1 flagged · Appeal to Fear (1), Appeal to Prejudice (1), Black-and-White Fallacy (1)
Reported Meta spend
$190,800–261,387 on all ads, $147,200–202,542 on flagged ads · Meta reports ranges; these are the sums of their ends
Example
“selling false hope to Alzheimer's patients” — Loaded Language, paid for by OHIOANS FOR AMY ACTON
· the flagged ad with the highest reported spend that shows the most common technique
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Leaving out the softer ones (loaded language, glittering generalities, slogans, exaggeration, repetition): 55% of ads.
The words doing the work
The words that show up most in phrases our model flagged as loaded language or name calling in this race's ads, by number of ads.
buyin 16 ads· e.g. “buy Ohio”, “buy this election”
billionairein 12 ads· e.g. “billionaire war chest”, “billionaire opponent”
war chestin 12 ads· e.g. “billionaire war chest”, “war chest”
billionaire warin 8 ads· e.g. “billionaire war chest”, “Vivek's billionaire war chest”
liberalin 7 ads· e.g. “Liberal Amy Acton”, “liberal agenda”
electionin 4 ads· e.g. “buy this election”
statein 4 ads· e.g. “attempts to buy this state”, “buy this state”
super wealthyin 4 ads· e.g. “super wealthy allies”
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Money in this race
Candidates for governor report their fundraising to Ohio's state campaign-finance office, not the FEC. This page doesn't cover those reports yet, so it shows no money figures.
The ads
60 ads, newest first. Video transcripts are shown as the model read them, without caption cues like [music].
Showing the 11 ads paid for by Ohio Democratic Party. Show all 60 ads
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-07spend $100–19925,000–29,999 impressions
Vivek Ramaswamy shamelessly profited off struggling patients and families in an alleged "pump and dump" scheme. He's out for himself, not Ohio.
Loaded Language: The word 'shamelessly' and the phrase 'struggling patients and families' are emotionally charged to trigger moral outrage rather than convey neutral facts — for example: 'shamelessly profited off struggling patients'
Name Calling: The framing implies Ramaswamy is a predatory fraudster through the 'pump and dump' label, used to discredit him rather than present a balanced account — for example: "alleged "pump and dump" scheme".
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'not Ohio' invokes in-group identity to imply Ramaswamy is an outsider who does not represent or care about the local community — for example: 'He's out for himself, not Ohio'
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence presents only two options — either serving oneself or serving Ohio — with no middle ground or nuance — for example: 'out for himself, not Ohio'
Loaded Language
Name Calling
Appeal to Prejudice
Black-and-White Fallacy
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-055 variantsspend $100–5958,100–12,995 impressions
Right now, my billionaire opponent and his allies are massively outspending us and filling the airwaves with ugly attack ads.
That’s no surprise – Vivek Ramaswamy is someone who can pour millions of his own wealth into this race like it’s pocket change. He even just got a $5 MILLION check from Elon Musk — the world's richest man. The ultra-wealthy are coming together to try and buy this race.
I’m asking for your help to prove that Vivek cannot buy Ohio and he can't buy us.
If you’re with me, please chip in $5 today. Your contribution will be put to work immediately in our fight to flip Ohio blue →
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see ohiodems.org/voterinfo
Loaded Language: Emotionally charged words are used to frame the opponent negatively and provoke a reaction rather than convey neutral facts — for example: 'ugly attack ads'
False Urgency: The phrase 'right now' creates a sense of immediate crisis designed to pressure the audience into action without deliberation — for example: 'Right now'
Appeal to Fear: The image of being overwhelmed by a wealthy opponent flooding the airwaves with attacks is designed to create anxiety and prompt a defensive response — for example: 'massively outspending us and filling the airwaves with ugly attack ads'
Name Calling: Labeling the opponent as 'billionaire' is used as a derogatory identity marker to discredit rather than address their arguments — for example: 'billionaire opponent'
Scapegoating: The sentence blames a single group ('the ultra-wealthy') for the outcome of the race, framing them as a unified conspiratorial force corrupting democracy — for example: 'The ultra-wealthy are coming together to try and buy this race'
Conspiracy Appeal: The phrase 'coming together' implies secret or sinister coordination among wealthy elites to subvert a democratic process — for example: 'The ultra-wealthy are coming together to try and buy this race'
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'buy us' invokes in-group identity, framing the audience as a unified community that stands apart from a wealthy outsider trying to purchase political influence — for example: cannot buy Ohio and he can't buy us
Loaded Language
False Urgency
Appeal to Fear
Name Calling
Scapegoating
Conspiracy Appeal
Appeal to Prejudice
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-058 variantsspend $0–7925,500–12,992 impressions
Amy Acton here with a quick update.
Vivek Ramaswamy is outspending us 7-to-1 on ads right now. In a race this close, that amount of money could make all the difference.
That’s why we need your help to close that gap as much as possible, as soon as possible.
If everyone watching this video donated just $5, we would have the resources to compete against Vivek’s billionaire war chest.
So if you can – Please, chip in $5 today to help us fight back so we can flip Ohio blue.
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see ohiodems.org/voterinfo
Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase 'everyone watching this video' implies collective participation to pressure viewers into donating — for example: "If everyone watching this video donated".
Loaded Language: The term 'billionaire war chest' uses emotionally charged language to frame the opponent's fundraising as militaristic and elitist — for example: billionaire war chest
Appeal to Fear: The framing implies that without donations the speaker cannot compete, creating anxiety about being outmatched by a wealthy opponent — for example: we would have the resources to compete
Bandwagon Appeal
Loaded Language
Appeal to Fear
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
An email when new ads come in from either side or the outside groups: the techniques, the words doing the work, and who paid. And each debate's analysis the morning after. One-click unsubscribe.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-05spend $100–1993,000–3,999 impressions
Just days before Ohioans cast the first votes of this critical election, Vivek Ramaswamy is rallying with President Trump.
If Vivek wins, he will prioritize pleasing Donald Trump and carrying out his agenda over helping hardworking Ohioans.
Vivek and his super wealthy allies are throwing MILLIONS of dollars to pull ahead in this toss-up race and buy Ohio. We can’t let that happen.
I’m humbly asking – Can you chip in $5 or $10 to our people-powered movement to help us compete against Vivek’s billionaire war chest and take back Ohio for the people?
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see https://ohiodems.org/voterinfo/
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'hardworking Ohioans' invokes in-group identity to contrast loyal, deserving locals against an outsider agenda — for example: hardworking Ohioans
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence presents only two options — pleasing Trump or helping Ohioans — implying these are mutually exclusive with no middle ground — for example: prioritize pleasing Donald Trump and carrying out his agenda over helping hardworking Ohioans
Loaded Language: Emotionally charged phrases like 'super wealthy allies' and 'buy Ohio' are used to trigger resentment and outrage rather than convey neutral facts — for example: 'buy Ohio'
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The phrase 'buy Ohio' is a hyperbolic overstatement implying the entire state can be purchased, going beyond what evidence supports — for example: 'buy Ohio'
Appeal to Fear: Creates urgency and anxiety about the opponent's spending to pressure the audience into action against a perceived threat — for example: 'We can't let that happen'
False Urgency: Implies an immediate crisis requiring action to prevent a dire outcome, pressuring the audience without allowing for deliberation — for example: 'We can't let that happen'
Glittering Generalities: 'Take back Ohio for the people' uses vague, emotionally resonant language about popular empowerment without specifying any concrete policy or action — for example: 'take back Ohio for the people'
Appeal to Prejudice
Black-and-White Fallacy
Loaded Language
Exaggeration/Hyperbole
Appeal to Fear
False Urgency
Glittering Generalities
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-05spend $400–4996,000–6,999 impressions
Friends, I’m asking you to chip in just $1 to my campaign for governor.
My opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, is attempting to buy this election with his $50 million war chest.
I don’t rely on MAGA billionaires writing massive checks to my campaign – I rely on grassroots donors like you.
That’s why I’m lowering my ask to just $1. I know you’re not an ATM, but this race is a dead heat, and we can’t afford to fall behind now.
This is a critical moment for my campaign, so please chip in just $1 today to help us meet our midnight fundraising goal. >>
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see https://ohiodems.org/voterinfo/
Loaded Language: The phrase 'buy this election' and 'war chest' are emotionally charged terms designed to trigger negative reactions rather than neutrally describe campaign fundraising — for example: 'buy this election'
Loaded Language
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-057 variantsspend $300–99325,000–31,993 impressions
🌊 The wave is coming!
Ohio is ready to reject Vivek Ramaswamy and his attempts to buy this state. But the polls are close and this race is still anybody’s game.
That’s why we need your help. Your donation today will help us reach the last groups of undecided voters in this election. In a race with a margin this tight, every day and every dollar matters.
Will you chip in $5 or $10 today to help us stand up to Vivek’s billionaire war chest?
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see ohiodems.org/voterinfo
Loaded Language: The phrase 'attempts to buy this state' uses emotionally charged language implying corruption and illegitimacy rather than presenting factual claims about campaign finance — for example: 'attempts to buy this state'
Bandwagon Appeal: Claiming Ohio as a whole is 'ready to reject' implies a collective consensus to pressure readers toward a particular view — for example: 'Ohio is ready to reject'
False Urgency: Emphasizing the race is close and 'anybody's game' creates urgency implying action is needed before it is too late — for example: 'this race is still anybody's game'
Appeal to Fear: The framing implies that without donations, the opponent's massive financial advantage will overwhelm the reader's side, creating anxiety to compel action — for example: 'stand up to Vivek's billionaire war chest'
Appeal to Prejudice: The appeal to 'us' versus Vivek's 'billionaire war chest' invokes in-group solidarity against a wealthy outsider to pressure the reader to identify with the group — for example: 'help us stand up to'
Loaded Language
Bandwagon Appeal
False Urgency
Appeal to Fear
Appeal to Prejudice
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-059 variantsspend $0–89114,200–22,991 impressions
Just days before Ohioans cast the first votes of this critical election, Vivek Ramaswamy is rallying with President Trump.
If Vivek wins, he will prioritize pleasing Donald Trump and carrying out his agenda over helping hardworking Ohioans.
Vivek and his super wealthy allies are throwing MILLIONS of dollars to pull ahead in this toss-up race and buy Ohio. We can’t let that happen.
I’m humbly asking – Can you chip in $5 or $10 to our people-powered movement to help us compete against Vivek’s billionaire war chest and take back Ohio for the people?
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see ohiodems.org/voterinfo
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'hardworking Ohioans' invokes in-group identity to contrast loyal, deserving locals against a candidate portrayed as serving an outside figure — for example: hardworking Ohioans
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence presents only two options — either pleasing Trump or helping Ohioans — implying these are mutually exclusive with no middle ground — for example: prioritize pleasing Donald Trump and carrying out his agenda over helping hardworking Ohioans
Loaded Language: Emotionally charged phrases like 'super wealthy allies' and 'buy Ohio' are used to trigger resentment and outrage rather than convey neutral facts — for example: 'buy Ohio'
False Urgency: The phrase 'We can't let that happen' creates an immediate imperative to act, implying there is no time for deliberation and that failure to act now will result in a lost opportunity — for example: 'We can't let that happen'
Appeal to Fear: The sentence implies a dire consequence — Ohio being 'bought' by wealthy outsiders — if the reader does not respond immediately, designed to override rational deliberation — for example: 'We can't let that happen'
Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase 'people-powered movement' implies mass participation and pressures the reader to join the crowd — for example: people-powered movement
Appeal to Prejudice
Black-and-White Fallacy
Loaded Language
False Urgency
Appeal to Fear
Bandwagon Appeal
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-059 variantsspend $800–1,69130,200–42,991 impressions
Friends, I’m asking you to chip in just $1 to my campaign for governor.
My opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, is attempting to buy this election with his $50 million war chest.
I don’t rely on MAGA billionaires writing massive checks to my campaign – I rely on grassroots donors like you.
That’s why I’m lowering my ask to just $1. I know you’re not an ATM, but this race is a dead heat, and we can’t afford to fall behind now.
This is a critical moment for my campaign, so please chip in just $1 today to help us meet our midnight fundraising goal. >>
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see ohiodems.org/voterinfo
Loaded Language: The phrase 'buy this election' and 'war chest' are emotionally charged terms designed to trigger negative reactions rather than neutrally describe campaign fundraising — for example: 'buy this election'
Loaded Language
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-058 variantsspend $1,400–2,19245,100–52,992 impressions
Here’s a quick update on my race for governor of Ohio.
This race was just named the most competitive governor’s race in the country. We are in a neck-and-neck battle with billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy.
Vivek is writing himself checks for tens of millions of dollars to try and buy this state for his own selfish gain. We aren’t like that. We rely on everyday people giving what they can to help us compete with Vivek’s personal wealth.
Will you chip in $5 or $10 by midnight to help us flip this toss-up seat?
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see ohiodems.org/voterinfo
Loaded Language: The phrase 'selfish gain' is emotionally charged language designed to trigger a negative reaction toward Vivek rather than neutrally describe campaign financing — for example: 'selfish gain'
Name Calling: The framing of Vivek 'buying' the state implies corrupt or illegitimate motives, functioning as a derogatory label rather than a factual description — for example: 'buy this state'
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence draws a sharp binary contrast between 'we' and Vivek, implying there are only two types of candidates: corrupt self-funders and virtuous grassroots campaigns — for example: 'We aren't like that'
Appeal to Prejudice: Invoking 'everyday people' constructs an in-group identity of ordinary citizens contrasted against Vivek's personal wealth, exploiting class-based identity to generate loyalty — for example: 'everyday people giving what they can'
Bandwagon Appeal: The appeal to many ordinary people contributing implies broad popular support and implicitly pressures the reader to join the crowd of donors — for example: 'everyday people giving what they can'
Loaded Language
Name Calling
Black-and-White Fallacy
Appeal to Prejudice
Bandwagon Appeal
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-03 to 2026-10-058 variantsspend $0–7927,400–14,992 impressions
Just days before Ohioans cast the first votes of this critical election, Vivek Ramaswamy is rallying with President Trump.
If Vivek wins, he will prioritize pleasing Donald Trump and carrying out his agenda over helping hardworking Ohioans.
Vivek and his super wealthy allies are throwing MILLIONS of dollars to pull ahead in this toss-up race and buy Ohio. We can’t let that happen.
I’m humbly asking – Can you chip in $5 or $10 to our people-powered movement to help us compete against Vivek’s billionaire war chest and take back Ohio for the people?
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see ODP.org/voterinfo
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'hardworking Ohioans' invokes in-group identity to contrast local constituents against an outside political figure, implying Vivek would betray his own people — for example: hardworking Ohioans
Loaded Language: The framing of 'pleasing Donald Trump' and 'carrying out his agenda' uses emotionally charged language to imply servile loyalty rather than governance — for example: pleasing Donald Trump
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence presents only two options — serving Trump or helping Ohioans — implying these are mutually exclusive with no middle ground — for example: "prioritize pleasing Donald Trump and carrying out his agenda over helping hardworking Ohioans".
Scapegoating: Vivek and his allies are singled out as the sole cause of a corrupted electoral process, reducing a complex political race to one villain — for example: 'Vivek and his super wealthy allies are throwing MILLIONS of dollars'
Appeal to Fear: Creates urgency and anxiety about the threat of Ohio being 'bought,' implying dire consequences if the reader does not act — for example: 'We can't let that happen'
False Urgency: The phrase implies an immediate, critical moment requiring action before it is too late, pressuring the reader to respond without deliberation — for example: 'We can't let that happen'
Appeal to Prejudice
Loaded Language
Black-and-White Fallacy
Scapegoating
Appeal to Fear
False Urgency
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohio Democratic Partyfrom 2026-10-03 to 2026-10-059 variantsspend $100–9915,500–13,991 impressions
Friends, I’m asking you to chip in just $1 to my campaign for governor.
My opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, is attempting to buy this election with his $50 million war chest.
I don’t rely on MAGA billionaires writing massive checks to my campaign – I rely on grassroots donors like you.
That’s why I’m lowering my ask to just $1. I know you’re not an ATM, but this race is a dead heat, and we can’t afford to fall behind now.
This is a critical moment for my campaign, so please chip in just $1 today to help us meet our midnight fundraising goal. >>
For information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls, and ODP's endorsed candidates, see ODP.org/voterinfo
Loaded Language: The phrase 'buy this election' and 'war chest' are emotionally charged terms designed to trigger negative reactions rather than neutrally describe campaign fundraising — for example: 'buy this election'
Loaded Language
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid posts that ran in OH and name a candidate, from advertisers that aren't part of this race: news-style pages, campaigns for other offices, and others. They're shown here for completeness and not counted with the ads above. We show the same technique analysis; their claims are not checked.
Buckeye Bulletin: news-style page
Paid for by Buckeye Bulletinfrom 2026-09-09 to 2026-09-152 variantsspend $0–1982,000–3,998 impressions
Democrat Amy Acton’s campaign says she will not debate Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, arguing that Acton is focused on speaking with Ohioans rather than “platforming a scam artist” and accusing Ramaswamy and his allies of spreading false and personal attacks against her.
Vivek's campaign has also highlighted past comments from Acton’s running mate, David Pepper, who criticized candidates who refused to debate, saying they showed “contempt for voters and civic groups.”
An ad is on this page because its own "Paid for by" line is a campaign in this race; or it ran mostly in OH and names a nominee for governor — unless its sponsor is a campaign for some other office (a U.S. Senate or House campaign included), or it also names OH's Senate nominees, in which case it is on the Senate race's page. Ads from outside groups appear alongside the campaigns' own.
The candidates are the ones certified for the November ballot, from the source linked at the top. Governors are state offices, so there are no FEC filings behind this page: no money figures, and outside groups are placed on a side only when they are a campaign or a party committee.
Campaigns run one text as many separate ads. Identical text from the same sponsor is one card here, marked with its number of variants.
A technique is a specific manipulative move in the wording, found by our model and explained in one line. It is not a claim that the ad is false.
Claims are checked when a reader asks: press "Check this ad's claims" on a card. The check runs once and its result is shown to everyone afterwards. The ten ads with the most money behind them in each race are checked ahead of time.
Claim verdicts say what the cited sources say. A verdict that an ad is wrong or misleading is shown only when it cites an established fact-checker or an institutional record — Congress, a federal agency, a court — and its confidence is not low; a weaker one is not shown at all. Each verdict shows what it rests on and how confident it is. If we got one wrong, press Disagree: a verdict that readers dispute and no one defends comes down.
Video ads come from the campaigns' own YouTube channels; the transcript is analyzed. Meta ads are analyzed on their text; their video and images are not, yet.
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