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the election); return it by Tue, Nov 3 (received by county board by close of polls (7:30 p.m.); postmark grace period repealed by SB 293; UOCAVA exception)Source: codes.ohio.gov ↗Source: codes.ohio.gov ↗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
Embed this race on your site
A small box with these findings and the newest ads, updated as new ads are analyzed. Free for newsrooms, blogs and campaigns alike; it links back here.
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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 19 ads paid for by Ohioans for Amy Acton. Show all 60 ads
Amy Acton "Mistakes"
Paid for by Ohioans for Amy Actonvideo · 0:30from 2026-10-06
He made millions scamming us with a drug that didn't work. Now Vivic Ramaswamy doesn't care about rising health care costs. Were Medicare and Medicaid mistakes?
I believe they were with the benefit of registr particularly Medicaid. That's right. Ramaswamy would dismantle Medicare and Medicaid kicking 500,000 Ohioans off their insurance and cutting rural hospital funding.
All to pay for tax breaks for billionaires like himself. Were Medicare and Medicaid mistakes? I believe they were.
The real mistake is electing Vivic Ramaswamy.
Loaded Language: The word 'scamming' is emotionally charged and implies deliberate fraud, designed to trigger outrage rather than convey neutral facts — for example: scamming us and doesn't care about rising health care costs.
Appeal to Prejudice: The use of 'us' creates an in-group identity of victims being wronged by an outsider, fostering an us-vs-them framing — for example: scamming us
Card Stacking: The sentence presents the allegation that the drug 'didn't work' as established fact without qualification or counterevidence, selectively framing the situation to support a negative conclusion — for example: a drug that didn't work and Vivic Ramaswamy doesn't care about rising health care costs.
Appeal to Fear: The rhetorical question implies that Medicare and Medicaid — programs millions depend on — may be threatened or eliminated, creating anxiety to provoke a defensive reaction — for example: Were Medicare and Medicaid mistakes?
Black-and-White Fallacy: The question frames the programs as either entirely valid or entirely mistakes, leaving no room for nuanced policy discussion — for example: Were Medicare and Medicaid mistakes?
Loaded Language
Appeal to Prejudice
Card Stacking
Appeal to Fear
Black-and-White Fallacy
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Watch on YouTube ↗Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.
Paid for by Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-10-02 to 2026-10-0416 variantsspend $0–1,5844,700–14,584 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?
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'hardworking Ohioans' invokes in-group identity to contrast loyal, deserving locals against a politician serving an outside figure — 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'
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 respond now will result in irreversible harm — for example: 'We can't let that happen'
Appeal to Fear: The sentence implies a dire, imminent consequence (Ohio being 'bought') that must be stopped, designed to provoke anxiety and compel action — for example: 'We can't let that happen'
Name Calling: Referring to Vivek's resources as a 'billionaire war chest' uses a derogatory label to discredit the opponent rather than address his positions — for example: 'billionaire war chest'
Glittering Generalities: 'Take back Ohio for the people' uses vague, emotionally positive language about reclaiming something for 'the people' without specifying what that means — for example: 'take back Ohio for the people'
Appeal to Prejudice
Black-and-White Fallacy
Loaded Language
False Urgency
Appeal to Fear
Name Calling
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 OHIOANS FOR AMY ACTONfrom 2026-10-01 to 2026-10-06spend $40,000–44,9991,000,000+ impressions
Vivek Ramaswamy made a fortune selling false hope to Alzheimer's patients. When the drug failed, Ramaswamy kept every dime. A man who'd cash in on the sick will cash in on Ohio. Don't let him.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'false hope' is emotionally charged, implying deliberate deception of vulnerable patients — for example: selling false hope to Alzheimer's patients and Ramaswamy kept every dime.
Appeal to Prejudice: Framing Ramaswamy as someone who exploits the sick targets emotional in-group sympathy for vulnerable people to generate out-group hostility toward him — for example: 'selling false hope to Alzheimer's patients'
Card Stacking: The sentence presents only the negative outcome (drug failed, profit retained) without context about how pharmaceutical development and compensation typically work, omitting information that would complicate the implied narrative — for example: 'When the drug failed, Ramaswamy kept every dime'
Name Calling: Ramaswamy is labeled as someone who 'cashes in on the sick,' a derogatory characterization used to discredit him rather than address his policy positions — for example: 'A man who'd cash in on the sick'
Appeal to Fear: The sentence warns that Ramaswamy will exploit Ohio voters the same way he allegedly exploited patients, creating anxiety to drive a specific response — for example: 'will cash in on Ohio'
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The sweeping generalization that a business outcome in pharma definitively predicts corrupt political behavior is an overstatement beyond what evidence supports — for example: 'A man who'd cash in on the sick will cash in on Ohio'
Loaded Language
Appeal to Prejudice
Card Stacking
Name Calling
Appeal to Fear
Exaggeration/Hyperbole
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 Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-30 to 2026-10-033 variantsspend $0–2970–297 impressions
Polls show us in a tight race with Vivek Ramaswamy. This race is anybody’s game.
There are still undecided voters all across Ohio that we need to reach in order to win this race. That’s why we need your help.
Every dollar you donate is another door we can knock, another event we can hold, and another ad we can run on TV.
So if you’re with us – please, can you chip in $5 or $10 today to help us flip Ohio blue and show Vivek Ramaswamy that he cannot buy this state?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-10-044 variantsspend $500–8967,000–10,996 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.
Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase 'everyone watching this video' implies collective participation to pressure individuals into donating — for example: everyone watching
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 opponent's overwhelming financial advantage cannot be countered, creating anxiety about losing — for example: resources to compete against
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.
Paid for by Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-09-304 variantsspend $0–3960–396 impressions
Before you scroll away, please hear me out.
Vivek Ramaswamy is outspending us 7-to-1 and recent polls show this race is a toss-up. If we don’t close this gap now, he could take the lead and win this race.
That’s why we’re setting an ambitious goal to raise $500,000 before our final end-of-quarter deadline.
We’re gonna show Vivek that no matter how hard he tries, he can’t buy Ohio and he can’t buy us.
I’m humbly asking – Please, can you donate $5 or $10 before September 30th to help us narrow this spending gap and take back Ohio for the people?
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'can't buy us' invokes an in-group identity of Ohioans as a unified community that cannot be purchased or corrupted by an outsider — for example: "he can't buy Ohio and he can't buy us".
Loaded Language: The word 'buy' is used in an emotionally charged way to imply corruption and illegitimate influence rather than making a factual claim — for example: 'buy Ohio'
False Urgency: The specific deadline of 'September 30th' creates artificial time pressure to prompt immediate donation without careful deliberation — for example: 'before September 30th'
Glittering Generalities: The phrase 'take back Ohio for the people' uses vague, emotionally positive language invoking populist sentiment without specifying what this means — for example: 'take back Ohio for the people'
Appeal to Prejudice
Loaded Language
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 Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-10-034 variantsspend $0–396200–2,196 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?
Loaded Language: The phrase 'attempts to buy this state' uses emotionally charged language implying corruption and illegitimacy rather than conveying neutral facts about campaign spending — for example: 'buy this state'
Bandwagon Appeal: Claiming Ohio as a whole is 'ready to reject' implies a broad collective consensus to pressure readers toward that position — for example: 'Ohio is ready to reject'
False Urgency: Noting the race is 'still anybody's game' after a call to reject the candidate creates implicit urgency to act before it is too late — for example: 'this race is still anybody's game'
Appeal to Prejudice: The framing of 'us' versus Vivek's 'billionaire war chest' exploits class-based in-group/out-group identity, positioning the reader as part of a grassroots group fighting wealthy elites — for example: 'help us stand up to Vivek's billionaire war chest'
Loaded Language
Bandwagon Appeal
False Urgency
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 Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-10-045 variantsspend $0–4954,200–8,995 impressions
It’s game time, Ohio!
We’ve got just a few weeks left before Election Day. We’re down by 2 in a recent poll, and we’re being outspent to a worrying degree by my billionaire opponent – so I need urgent resources to stay competitive and fight our way back.
That’s why I’m personally asking you to donate just $3 now to help us score a big win in Ohio. Please, will you chip in? >>
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-10-048 variantsspend $0–792100–1,692 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 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 tossup seat?
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 'us' 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: The phrase 'everyday people' invokes in-group identity to contrast ordinary, virtuous supporters against the wealthy outsider Vivek, exploiting class-based identity — for example: 'everyday people giving what they can'
Bandwagon Appeal: The appeal to 'everyday people giving what they can' implies broad popular support and subtly pressures readers to join the crowd of ordinary 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 Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-09-304 variantsspend $0–3960–396 impressions
Our final end-of-quarter deadline is rapidly approaching and we need your help.
Vivek and his billionaire allies are outspending us 7-to-1 and flooding the Ohio airwaves with negative ads and lies.
With the margins this close, we must have the resources to respond accordingly.
That’s why we’re setting an ambitious goal to raise $500,000 before this deadline passes to show Vivek that he cannot buy Ohio.
I’m humbly asking – Can you donate $10 before our end-of-quarter deadline to help us reach our goal and flip Ohio blue?
Loaded Language: The words 'flooding' and 'lies' are emotionally charged, designed to trigger a negative reaction toward the opponent rather than convey neutral facts — for example: 'flooding the Ohio airwaves with negative ads and lies'
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'billionaire allies' invokes class-based in-group/out-group identity, framing the opponent as aligned with wealthy elites against ordinary people — for example: 'his billionaire allies'
Appeal to Fear: The claim of being outspent 7-to-1 and 'flooded' with lies creates anxiety about an overwhelming, unfair threat designed to prompt a defensive response — for example: 'outspending us 7-to-1 and flooding the Ohio airwaves'
False Urgency: The phrase 'before this deadline passes' creates artificial time pressure to prompt immediate donations without careful deliberation — for example: before this deadline passes
Loaded Language
Appeal to Prejudice
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 Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-10-047 variantsspend $0–693200–2,493 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 →
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 an immediate sense of crisis designed to pressure the audience into action without deliberation — for example: 'Right now'
Appeal to Prejudice: Labeling the opponent as 'billionaire' invokes class-based in-group/out-group identity, implying the opponent is an elite outsider versus 'us' — for example: 'my billionaire opponent'
Name Calling: The term 'billionaire' is used as a derogatory label to discredit the opponent rather than address their arguments — for example: 'my billionaire opponent'
Appeal to Fear: The sentence creates anxiety about wealthy elites conspiring to undermine democratic elections, implying a dire threat to fair governance — for example: 'The ultra-wealthy are coming together to try and buy this race'
Conspiracy Appeal: The framing of the ultra-wealthy 'coming together' implies coordinated, sinister collusion to subvert the democratic process — for example: 'The ultra-wealthy are coming together to try and buy this race'
Loaded Language
False Urgency
Appeal to Prejudice
Name Calling
Appeal to Fear
Conspiracy Appeal
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-10-037 variantsspend $0–6931,000–2,593 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. >>
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 Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-25 to 2026-10-0423 variantsspend $0–2,2772,000–13,177 impressions
When it comes to data centers in Ohio, the choice is clear.
Vivek Ramaswamy – who owns investments in every part of the data center pipeline – will sell out Ohio to the highest bidder.
Amy Acton will put Ohio communities first and stand up for working families.
Polling shows this race is neck-and-neck, but if we fall behind on our fundraising goals now, we’ll lose momentum. We can’t afford to let Vivek win and allow data centers to go unchecked across Ohio communities.
Please – Can you rush $10 to help us reach our $10,000 MIDNIGHT fundraising goal?
Glittering Generalities: The sentence uses vague, emotionally positive phrases that sound noble but carry no specific policy meaning — for example: 'put Ohio communities first' and 'stand up for working families'
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 Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-25 to 2026-09-2916 variantsspend $0–1,5843,100–14,384 impressions
In the race for Ohio’s next governor, the choice couldn’t be clearer.
Dr. Amy Acton will stand up for Ohio families. Vivek Ramaswamy will sell out Ohio’s families to his billionaire friends.
Chip in $5 today to help Amy pull ahead in this toss-up race >>
Glittering Generalities: The phrase 'stand up for Ohio families' uses vague, emotionally positive language that sounds noble but carries no specific policy meaning — for example: stand up for Ohio families
Name Calling: Ramaswamy is labeled as someone who will 'sell out' to 'billionaire friends,' using derogatory framing to discredit him rather than address his positions — for example: sell out Ohio's families to his billionaire friends
Loaded Language: 'Sell out' is an emotionally charged phrase designed to trigger a negative reaction toward Ramaswamy rather than convey factual information — for example: sell out
Black-and-White Fallacy: Paired with sentence 1, the two sentences together present only two options: Acton stands up for families or Ramaswamy sells them out, leaving no middle ground — for example: "Dr. Amy Acton will stand up for Ohio families", "Vivek Ramaswamy will sell out Ohio's families".
Glittering Generalities
Name Calling
Loaded Language
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 Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-08 to 2026-09-199 variantsspend $3,100–4,391103,000–123,091 impressions
📊 Expert pollster Nate Silver just released his analysis of the Ohio gubernatorial race, and it’s TIED.
This race is winnable for Democrat Amy Acton. But her lead could be slipping after Vivek Ramaswamy launched a multi-million dollar ad buy in recent weeks...
Can you chip in $10 to help us regain the lead and win this race?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-08 to 2026-09-199 variantsspend $1,700–2,59186,000–110,991 impressions
📉 According to expert pollster Nate Silver, Amy Acton’s lead in the Ohio gubernatorial race has been ERASED.
Amy is now tied with self-serving billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. That means his vicious attacks against Amy are working. We need to raise $500,000 by the end of the week to fight back against Vivek’s baseless lies.
If we miss our goal, we won’t be able to properly respond to Vivek’s attacks and our position will continue to slip.
Rush $10 to Amy Acton by 11:59 PM to help us reach our goal and regain our lead >>
Name Calling: The phrase 'self-serving billionaire' is a derogatory label used to discredit Ramaswamy rather than address his arguments — for example: self-serving billionaire
Loaded Language: The word 'vicious' is emotionally charged and chosen to trigger a negative reaction toward Ramaswamy rather than convey neutral facts — for example: vicious attacks and baseless lies.
False Urgency: The phrase 'by the end of the week' creates artificial time pressure to prevent careful deliberation and compel immediate financial action — for example: by the end of the week
Appeal to Fear: The framing implies that failure to donate will allow 'vicious attacks' and 'baseless lies' to succeed, creating anxiety to compel a specific financial response — for example: fight back against Vivek's baseless lies
Name Calling
Loaded Language
False Urgency
Appeal to Fear
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-09-08 to 2026-09-159 variantsspend $700–1,59117,200–25,091 impressions
All the polls agree, the race for Ohio’s next governor is statistically TIED.
This race is winnable for Democrat Amy Acton, but Vivek Ramaswamy is pouring TENS OF MILLIONS of his own money to smear Amy, and his attacks could be working...
Can you rush $10 to Amy Acton's grassroots campaign today to help her respond to Vivek’s attacks and flip Ohio Blue? >>
Loaded Language: The word 'smear' is emotionally charged, implying dishonest and malicious attacks rather than neutral political campaigning — for example: smear
Appeal to Fear: The phrase 'his attacks could be working' creates anxiety that the opponent's campaign is succeeding, implying urgent danger to the favored candidate — for example: his attacks could be working
False Urgency: The ellipsis and framing of massive spending 'working' implies a crisis moment requiring immediate action or attention — for example: TENS OF MILLIONS
Loaded Language
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 Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-08-24 to 2026-09-195 variantsspend $0–4951,400–5,995 impressions
Pundits agree: This race is anyone’s game.
That’s why my opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, and the right-wing allies behind him have reserved $76.5 million in negative ads to attack me and drown our message out.
We have a plan to counter his attacks, but we need the resources to help make it happen.
We’re setting a $100,000 weekly goal so we can fight back against Vivek’s massive war chest. Will you chip in $5 to help us reach our goal? >>
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Ohioans for Amy Actonfrom 2026-06-15 to 2026-08-283 variantsspend $0–2973,000–5,997 impressions
Hi, it’s Dr. Amy Acton.
Together, we've ignited a grassroots movement across our state, and even the country, unlike anything we've seen before.
Public polls show that this race is a virtual tie – and the most recent poll even shows that I'm leading by 1 point.
I've never been more ready to defeat Vivek Ramaswamy and win this race.
If you’re with me through the long haul, will you personally endorse our campaign today?
Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase implies a massive, unprecedented collective movement to pressure conformity and belonging — for example: 'grassroots movement across our state, and even the country'
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The claim that this movement is 'unlike anything we've seen before' is an absolute superlative with no factual basis provided — for example: 'unlike anything we've seen before'
Bandwagon Appeal
Exaggeration/Hyperbole
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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