GOP's midterm headaches just got worse as JD Vance defends ‘atrocious’ ad: conservative

CNN conservative commentator S.E. Cupp warned Wednesday that Vice President JD Vance only made Republicans’ election headaches worse by defending a controversial campaign ad targeting a Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

“Seems an odd choice to not only double down and defend such an atrocious and impolitic ad, but to reprimand any Republicans who have denounced it,” Cupp wrote.

“Vance managed to keep the ugly thing in the news cycle, and his defense now ties it to the admin as candidates across the country are trying to distance themselves,” she added.

Cupp’s reality check for the MAGA administration came as controversy continued to swirl around Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to feature the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, in a $4 million ad blitz.

Vance fiercely defended Ramaswamy on Wednesday, telling Republicans criticizing the ad to “stop whining” and focus on winning elections. But even Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) told the Associated Press that he would not have run the ad himself, according to CNN’s Kevin Liptak.

Cupp also then questioned what Vance and his allies hoped to gain by jumping into the controversy.

"Do they have some internals showing the ad is working somewhere? Do they think the race is gone and so why not defend it?" she asked. "Do they welcome this distraction, however ugly, to take some heat off Paxton / Putin / corruption? From a pure politics perspective, I just don't get it."

The backlash prompted an emotional response from Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH), who fought back tears while discussing the ad with CNN’s Kacie Hunt.

“It’s hard to watch,” Landsman said, visibly emotional. “She’s a remarkable person.”