Ramaswamy Faces Pushback From 3,100 St. Xavier Alumni Over Ohio Ad

More than 3,100 graduates of St. Xavier High School have signed a petition urging Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to remove a television advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. The online request, launched by alumni of the all-male private Jesuit school in Cincinnati, cites moral disappointment with the campaign's conduct.

The petition, which lists Brian Cahill, a 1983 graduate, as a primary organizer, asks Ramaswamy to take down the ad and issue a public apology. The text criticizes the candidate for weaponizing family trauma and domestic abuse. It also urges him to commit to debating policies rather than resorting to personal cruelty, referencing the school's motto of being a Man for Others.

The advertisement is part of a $4 million broadcast and digital campaign that began airing last week. The spot features Donna Arthur, Acton's mother, who lost custody of Amy and her brother in 1978 after leaving the state. In the video, Arthur claims her daughter lies about her past and asks Ohio voters not to elect Acton. The ad was leaked on social media early last week, sparking bipartisan criticism across the state and the country.

Cahill stated that the group felt compelled to act after seeing the ad and discussing it with former classmates. He noted that students at St. Xavier are taught that their decisions affect the community and that they must avoid actions that hurt that community. Cahill said the petition is not a political statement but a message about human decency.

The St. Xavier administration is not involved in the petition and has not taken a formal position on the advertisement. Cahill said the alumni group respects the school's neutrality but felt they could not let their reputation be damaged by the campaign's strategy. He added that Ramaswamy's decision to double down on the ad after initial criticism prompted many former classmates to question the move.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have defended the advertisement, but the response from Ohio voters and national observers has included widespread condemnation. Ramaswamy graduated from St. Xavier in 2003. His campaign did not return a message seeking comment on the petition.