Indian American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy made his final campaign push for the Ohio governorship on Sunday, just two days before Tuesday's election, even as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — a fellow Republican — publicly branded him one of the worst candidates his party has fielded for a major office.

Christie's Broadside on ABC

Speaking on ABC's 'This Week' during a roundtable on candidate quality, Christie did not hold back when the Ohio race was raised. Democratic strategist Donna Brazile had begun to reference a controversial Ramaswamy campaign ad when Christie interjected: 'You're not going to get any argument from me about the quality of the gubernatorial candidate in Ohio. He's one of the worst political candidates our party has put forward for major positions.'

Christie also drew a parallel to Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton, saying he had been vocal about both candidates on air. The remarks mark a rare instance of a prominent Republican openly attacking a fellow party nominee in the final stretch of a campaign.

The Ad Controversy That Defined the Race's Final Week

The closing days of the race have been dominated by a Ramaswamy campaign advertisement featuring Donna Arthur, the estranged biological mother of his Democratic opponent Amy Acton, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. The ad sparked immediate backlash from across the political spectrum.

Republican Governor Mike DeWine called on Ramaswamy to pull the ad, while President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended him. Ramaswamy told reporters on Thursday that the ad had 'ran to completion' and that his campaign had since 'put up 4 other ads.'

Acton, speaking outside the Franklin County Board of Elections on Friday, called the ad 'absolutely despicable,' saying: 'There is no bar too low apparently for my opponent, he will say and do anything… I really hope everyone is held accountable for their behavior in this.'

A Miami University student survey conducted from 26 to 29 October found that 80 per cent of likely voters had seen the ad. The survey found Acton leading 52 per cent to 42 per cent among likely voters, with a margin of error of about six points. Its authors noted that their analysis suggested the ad reduced favourability toward Ramaswamy, but cautioned the data 'do not establish the ad's causal effect on actual voting behavior.'

Ramaswamy's Closing Message

Ramaswamy has framed the race in stark terms. His closing message, featured at the top of CBS's 'Face the Nation', included the declaration: 'It is now or never. For the future of the United States, for the future of Ohio. It is communism versus common sense.'

On X, Ramaswamy posted that he had 'a great crowd today' in Ashtabula County and said he and his wife Apoorva met a 104-year-old woman at church in Summit County, adding: 'The next time will be for our victory tour after we win on Tuesday.'

Vance was scheduled to campaign in Swanton, near Toledo, on Monday.

Where the Polls Stand

The Cook Political Report rates the race 'Lean Democrat.' The FiftyPlusOne polling average as of Sunday put Acton ahead by roughly three points, at approximately 49 per cent to Ramaswamy's 46 per cent. Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate, also faces Libertarian Don Kissick on the ballot.

With polls closing on Tuesday and Vance headlining a last-minute rally in northwest Ohio, the Republican establishment's fractures over Ramaswamy's candidacy will be put to a final test at the ballot box.