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 ↗ |
|---|---|
| Early voting in person | Tue, Oct 6 to Sun, Nov 1 (first day after registration closes)Source: codes.ohio.gov ↗ |
| By mail | 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the election); return it by Tue, Nov 3 (received by county board by close of polls (7:30 p.m.); postmark grace period repealed by SB 293; UOCAVA exception)Source: codes.ohio.gov ↗Source: codes.ohio.gov ↗ |
| Election Day | Tue, Nov 3. Polls: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Source: codes.ohio.gov ↗ |
| ID at the polls | Photo ID required; without one, vote a provisional ballotSource: codes.ohio.gov ↗ |
Checked October 6, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with the official site before you go.
A person reads every report and fixes errors the same day.
As of 2026-10-08. Counts are of distinct ads; the same text run many times is one ad.
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.
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.
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| Paid for by | Ads | With at least one technique | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohioans for Amy Acton | 19 | 15 of 19 (79%) | Loaded Language (13), Appeal to Fear (8), Appeal to Prejudice (8) |
| Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio | 19 | 11 of 19 (58%) | Loaded Language (9), Name Calling (8), Appeal to Fear (7) |
| Ohio Democratic Party | 11 | 11 of 11 (100%) | Loaded Language (11), Appeal to Prejudice (7), Appeal to Fear (6) |
| Ohio AFL-CIO | 9 | 3 of 9 | Glittering Generalities (3), Appeal to Prejudice (1), Bandwagon Appeal (1) |
| AFT | 1 | 1 of 1 | Glittering Generalities (1) |
| INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS OF AM | 1 | 1 of 1 | Glittering Generalities (1) |
Not everyone would call every technique manipulation. Untick the ones you'd call ordinary persuasion and the count updates.
70% of the 60 ads here use at least one of the techniques ticked below (42 ads).
Leaving out the softer ones (loaded language, glittering generalities, slogans, exaggeration, repetition): 55% of ads.
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.
Semblen is free to read and has no ads. If this page was useful, you can support it.
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.
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 Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio. Show all 60 ads
Don't wait until Nov. 3 – you can vote for Vivek today at your county board of elections. Bring your photo ID and skip the Election Day lines.
Early voting is open in Ohio! Vote at your county board of elections – no appointment needed. Bring your photo ID and cast your vote for Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley.
Ohio, you have 3 ways to vote for Vivek: ✅ Vote early in person starting Oct. 6 ✅ Vote by mail – request your ballot by Oct. 27 and send it back early. It must arrive by 7:30 PM on Nov. 3. ✅ Vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3 Pick your plan today!
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.
Semblen LLC · 5900 Balcones Drive STE 100, Austin, TX 78731
Amy Acton won't debate me because she can’t defend the same liberal agenda that drove up prices under Biden and Kamala. Gas, groceries, utility bills: it all costs too much, and Ohio families deserve relief. She'd make it worse. I'm already working to fix it: Suspend the gas tax: 38.5¢ off every gallon (officially passed ✅) Phase out the income tax Cut property taxes Lower energy bills with Ohio natural gas Lower costs. Bigger paychecks. That's my plan.
Name Calling: The term 'liberal agenda' is used as a derogatory label to discredit Amy Acton and her positions without engaging with specific policy arguments — for example: liberal agenda
Card Stacking: The sentence presents the unverified claim that a 'liberal agenda drove up prices' as established fact, omitting any counterarguments or alternative explanations for price increases — for example: drove up prices under Biden and Kamala
Scapegoating: Complex economic factors behind price increases are blamed entirely on Biden and Kamala's 'liberal agenda', attributing a multifaceted problem to a single political group — for example: drove up prices under Biden and Kamala
Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive promise with no specific policy detail or mechanism explained — for example: 'Bigger paychecks'
You shouldn't have to pick between filling your tank and filling your fridge. So I didn't wait for Election Day. I pushed to suspend Ohio's gas tax, and the House and Senate passed it. And I'm just getting started: Phase out the income tax Cut property taxes for seniors Lower energy bills Cut the bloat in Columbus Amy Acton wants the same agenda that got us here. I want Ohio to be the most affordable state in America.
Ohio seniors don't need empty political promises – they need real, delivered results. My plan is simple and non-negotiable: Cut property taxes to keep seniors in their homes Crack down on Medicaid fraud to stop waste Keep Washington’s hands off your Social Security As Governor, I will deliver on all three.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'empty political promises' uses emotionally charged language to dismiss political opponents and contrast them unfavorably with the speaker — for example: empty political promises
False Urgency: Describing the plan as 'non-negotiable' creates artificial pressure and forecloses deliberation or alternative approaches — for example: non-negotiable
You worked hard and earned your Social Security – Washington has zero business touching a single penny. As your Governor, I’ll fight to protect every dollar you’ve built over a lifetime. We'll also crack down hard on Medicaid fraud to ensure resources go directly to the Ohioans who actually need them.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'zero business touching a single penny' uses emotionally charged language to frame federal involvement as an illegitimate intrusion — for example: zero business
Appeal to Prejudice: The sentence flatters the audience by affirming their hard work and implying Washington is an out-group threat to their earned benefits — for example: You worked hard and earned your Social Security and Ohioans who actually need them.
Glittering Generalities: The promise to 'fight to protect every dollar you've built over a lifetime' uses vague, emotionally positive language without specifying any concrete policy — for example: fight to protect every dollar you've built over a lifetime
Card Stacking: The sentence implies Medicaid fraud is a significant problem diverting resources, without providing evidence of its scale, selectively framing the issue to justify a policy stance — for example: crack down hard on Medicaid fraud
Our seniors spent their lives working hard, saving, and building Ohio. Now it's our turn to have their backs. As Governor, I will roll back skyrocketing property taxes, shield Social Security from federal overreach, and aggressively prosecute fraud to protect both our seniors and taxpayers.
Appeal to Prejudice: Invokes in-group identity by framing 'our seniors' as a shared community that built Ohio, creating an emotional bond between the speaker and a specific group — for example: Our seniors and our turn to have their backs.
Loaded Language: Uses emotionally charged words like 'skyrocketing', 'shield', 'overreach', and 'aggressively prosecute' to trigger alarm and rally support rather than convey neutral policy positions — for example: 'skyrocketing property taxes', 'federal overreach'
Appeal to Fear: Implies seniors are under threat from rising taxes, federal encroachment, and fraud, creating anxiety that demands the speaker's intervention — for example: 'shield Social Security from federal overreach'
Talk is cheap. Gas isn't. That's why I pushed to suspend Ohio's gas tax right now. It passed the legislature, and that's 38.5¢ a gallon back in your pocket. Amy Acton would drag us backward with the same liberal agenda as Kamala Harris: less oil, more green subsidies, higher prices.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'drag us backward' uses emotionally charged language to frame the policy agenda as regressive and harmful — for example: drag us backward
Name Calling: The term 'liberal agenda' is used as a derogatory label to discredit Acton's positions without engaging their substance — for example: liberal agenda
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence implies that the only alternative to the current path is Acton's agenda of 'less oil, more green subsidies, higher prices,' presenting a binary framing that ignores nuanced policy options — for example: less oil, more green subsidies, higher prices
Card Stacking: The sentence selectively lists only negative outcomes ('higher prices') associated with the policy agenda while omitting any potential benefits, presenting a one-sided picture — for example: less oil, more green subsidies, higher prices
Your Election Day polling place may be different from where you voted last time. Look it up now so you're ready to vote for Vivek on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM.
"You cannot buy Ohio" – unless you're Amy Acton’s stock portfolio. Financial disclosures reveal she holds investments in Big Tech companies running 18 data centers across Ohio. She claims she’s standing up to special interests. The paper trail says otherwise. Ohio can’t afford Liberal Amy Acton.
Name Calling: The label 'Liberal' is used as a derogatory political tag to discredit Amy Acton rather than address her policies or record — for example: Liberal Amy Acton
Appeal to Fear: The phrase 'can't afford' implies dire financial or social consequences for Ohio if Amy Acton is in a position of power, creating anxiety to drive a specific response — for example: Ohio can't afford Liberal Amy Acton
Before you head to the polls, grab your photo ID and double-check where you're voting. Early voting starts Oct. 6 – let's elect Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley!
Rules for thee, cash for Amy. Acton lectures Ohioans about corporate greed while holding stock in Big Tech companies operating 18 data centers right here in Ohio. She’s playing the stock market... and playing us for fools. Amy Acton already sold out to special interests – Ohio can’t afford her.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'Rules for thee, cash for Amy' uses emotionally charged framing to imply hypocrisy, with 'cash' carrying a cynical, greedy connotation — for example: cash for Amy and Big Tech companies.
Name Calling: The slogan reduces the subject to a caricature of self-serving hypocrisy without substantive argument — for example: 'Rules for thee, cash for Amy'
Card Stacking: The sentence selectively pairs the accusation of hypocrisy with a specific data point (18 data centers) to make the charge appear factually grounded while omitting any context about the nature of the stock holdings or their relevance to policy positions — for example: 'holding stock in Big Tech companies operating 18 data centers right here in Ohio'
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'right here in Ohio' appeals to local in-group identity to heighten the sense of betrayal by an insider — for example: 'right here in Ohio'
Appeal to Fear: The phrase 'Ohio can't afford her' implies dire consequences for the state if she is elected, creating anxiety to drive a specific response — for example: 'Ohio can't afford her'
Liberal Amy Acton has already sold out to special interests. Invested in the companies behind 18 Ohio data centers, campaigning like she is the one fighting them. She is playing the stock market and playing us for fools. Ohio can’t afford liberal Amy Acton.
Name Calling: The label 'Liberal' is used as a derogatory political tag to prime the audience against Amy Acton before any argument is made — for example: Liberal Amy Acton
Loaded Language: The phrase 'sold out to special interests' uses emotionally charged language implying corruption and betrayal without providing factual support — for example: sold out to special interests
Card Stacking: The sentence juxtaposes an unverified claim about investments with a campaign posture, presenting a one-sided picture that implies hypocrisy without providing context or counterevidence — for example: Invested in the companies behind 18 Ohio data centers, campaigning like she is the one fighting them
Appeal to Fear: The phrase 'Ohio can't afford' implies dire consequences for the state if Amy Acton is not opposed, creating anxiety to drive a specific response — for example: 'Ohio can't afford'
Appeal to Prejudice: Invoking 'Ohio' as an in-group identity implies that a 'liberal' outsider is a threat to the community's values and interests — for example: 'Ohio can't afford liberal Amy Acton'
Voting in person? Ohio requires a photo ID at the polls — bring your Ohio driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. Early voting starts Tuesday, Oct. 6 at your county board of elections.
Groceries cost more. Gas costs more. Everything costs more – and your hard-earned paycheck is stretched to the absolute breaking point. Yet Liberal Amy Acton wants to double state income taxes to fund a $21 billion government expansion. She expects you to tighten your belt so politicians in Columbus can spend like there’s no tomorrow. You deserve a government that cuts its own waste instead of taking food off your kids’ plates. I’ll cut your income tax and put money back where it belongs: in your pocket. Ohio families can't afford Liberal Amy Acton.
Name Calling: The label 'Liberal' is used as a derogatory political tag to discredit Amy Acton before any argument is made — for example: Liberal Amy Acton
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: Describing the proposal as a '$21 billion government expansion' frames it in maximally alarming terms without context or comparison — for example: $21 billion government expansion
Loaded Language: The phrase 'tighten your belt' versus 'spend like there's no tomorrow' uses emotionally charged contrast to paint politicians as reckless and citizens as victims — for example: spend like there's no tomorrow
Appeal to Prejudice: The framing of 'you' versus 'politicians in Columbus' exploits an in-group/out-group dynamic, positioning ordinary citizens against distant elites — for example: politicians in Columbus
Appeal to Fear: The sentence implies that the current government is actively harming children by depriving them of food, creating anxiety to drive support for the speaker — for example: taking food off your kids' plates
Glittering Generalities: The phrase 'where it belongs: in your pocket' uses vague but emotionally positive language implying a natural rightness without substantive policy detail — for example: put money back where it belongs: in your pocket
You've seen it at the checkout line. Milk, eggs, bread, meat: the same cart that used to cost $100 now costs $150. Families are putting things back on the shelf just to make it through the week. Amy Acton and her lobbyist backers want to double your income tax so they can keep spending your money on their pet projects. They've never had to worry about making rent. You have. I'll cut your taxes so you have more money for groceries, not for government waste. Ohio families can't afford Liberal Amy Acton.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'pet projects' is emotionally charged, implying frivolous or self-serving spending to trigger resentment — for example: 'pet projects'
Appeal to Prejudice: The framing of 'your money' versus 'their pet projects' creates a sharp in-group/out-group divide, positioning the audience as victims of an elite other — for example: your money on their pet projects and They've never had to worry about making rent.
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: Claiming the policy would 'double your income tax' is an extreme claim presented as fact without qualification or evidence — for example: 'double your income tax'
Name Calling: Labeling Acton's supporters as 'lobbyist backers' is a derogatory association used to discredit her without addressing her actual positions — for example: 'lobbyist backers'
Appeal to Fear: Invoking the anxiety of not being able to 'make rent' taps into economic insecurity to emotionally prime the audience against the named target — for example: 'worry about making rent'
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence presents only two options for money: groceries or government waste, ignoring the many other uses of tax revenue — for example: more money for groceries, not for government waste
While working parents quietly skip meals to make sure their kids eat, Amy Acton and her lobbyist allies are pushing a radical scheme to double the state income tax on everyday Ohioans. They want $21 Billion in new spending, and they expect you to eat the cost. She has never had to check her account balance at the credit card reader. She has never had to put food back. She doesn't get it, and she doesn't care. I’ll lower your taxes, slash government bloat, and protect your family's grocery budget. Ohio families can't afford Liberal Amy Acton.
Loaded Language: Words like 'radical scheme' and 'lobbyist allies' are emotionally charged to trigger negative reactions rather than convey neutral facts — for example: radical scheme, lobbyist allies and eat the cost.
Appeal to Prejudice: Contrasts 'working parents' and 'everyday Ohioans' as the virtuous in-group against Amy Acton and her allies as an out-group, exploiting identity to generate resentment — for example: 'everyday Ohioans'
Appeal to Fear: The vivid image of parents skipping meals to feed their children creates anxiety about economic harm to ordinary families if the policy proceeds — for example: working parents quietly skip meals to make sure their kids eat and they expect you to eat the cost.
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: Claiming the proposal would 'double the state income tax' is an extreme characterization presented as straightforward fact without qualification — for example: 'double the state income tax'
Name Calling: Labeling Amy Acton's associates as 'lobbyist allies' is a derogatory framing designed to discredit rather than engage with the substance of the proposal — for example: 'lobbyist allies'
Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive promises about protecting 'your family's grocery budget' invoke family values and financial security without any specific policy substance — for example: protect your family's grocery budget
When I’m governor, I’ll fight for affordable energy and lower prices at the pump. Ohio families deserve to keep more of what they earn.
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
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.”
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