‘You Refused to Debate Your Primary Opponent': Vivek Ramaswamy Faces Backlash for Criticizing Amy Acton's Refusal to Debate in Ohio Governor Race

Vivek Ramaswamy criticized Amy Acton for refusing debate invitations in Ohio's governor race. He said he accepted two debates despite warnings from allies. Ramaswamy framed debate participation as a test of whether a candidate could withstand pressure. He called Acton's refusal 'disqualifying.' .@VivekGRamaswamy criticizes opponent Amy Acton for declining to debate him and calls her a socialist. pic.twitter.com/0sPXDWNRII — CSPAN (@cspan) September 6, 2026 CNN and NBC had offered the debates, according to Ramaswamy. He jokingly described them as 'hard right-leaning networks' while recalling warnings from friends and allies. His team also showed him clips of how both networks had covered the race. Ramaswamy said he accepted the invitations because leading Ohio would require handling difficult situations. 'If I can't stand in front of NBC and CNN,' he said, 'then I have no business leading the state.' He added that his campaign could 'handle the heat' and pressure of the job. He then turned to Acton's response to the invitations. Ramaswamy said she refused both debates and 'any debate in this election.' 'Can you believe that? It is disqualifying,' he said. The Republican candidate ended by urging supporters to speak with voters who may disagree with his conservative positions. He pledged to fight for all Ohio residents, regardless of whether they support him. Vivek Ramaswamy's Amy Acton Debate Attack Draws Hypocrisy Claims Ramaswamy's criticism of Acton's debate decision quickly turned toward his own record and the tone of his campaign. 'You refused to debate your primary opponent,' one user wrote. Another raised his presidential campaign, asking, 'Why didn't Vivek debate when he had the chance while pathetically trying to run for President.' Others challenged how Ramaswamy was approaching Acton. 'This is why she won't debate you. You attack her rather than talking issues,' one response stated. Another wrote, 'He wouldn't debate his republican opponent!!!' Some responses instead supported putting Acton on a debate stage. 'If her ideas can't win a 2 hour debate, they're worthless,' one user argued. Another stated, 'Democrats can't debate … they always lose.' The campaigns remain divided over whether the candidates will meet on a debate stage. Ramaswamy said he is prepared to participate.