Pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo made a political statement during her Columbus tour stop Friday night, publicly backing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton in Ohio's closely watched race.
Midway through her performance at the Schottenstein Center on the Ohio State University campus, Rodrigo walked into the crowd during her song "stupid song," handed Acton a bouquet of flowers, and embraced her. The gesture was accompanied by Rodrigo wearing an "Amy Acton for Governor" T-shirt, a clear endorsement that was quickly amplified on social media.
Acton, a former state health director who gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, is locked in a competitive matchup against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. Nonpartisan election forecaster Decision Desk HQ gives Acton a 61% chance of victory, but the race has been marked by bitter attacks.
Ramaswamy recently aired a controversial ad featuring Acton's estranged mother, who accuses her daughter of being a "liar" and unfit for office. The ad, which referenced Acton's childhood abuse and separation from her mother, drew bipartisan condemnation, including from Ohio's Republican governor, Mike DeWine, who called for it to be pulled. Ramaswamy's campaign spent millions on the ad, but it has since completed its airing cycle.
The attack ad appears to have backfired, with Acton's campaign reporting a surge in donations and polls shifting in her favor. The ad's use of Acton's family history sparked outrage across the political spectrum, and even former President Trump, who has backed Ramaswamy, found himself defending the tactic.
Rodrigo's endorsement is not her first foray into politics. She has been a vocal advocate for reproductive rights, speaking out after the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson decision and raising $20 million for women's health at a benefit concert in August. She has also clashed with the Trump administration over the use of her music in ICE raid videos, calling it "disgusting" and accusing the administration of baiting pop stars.
Acton responded to Rodrigo's gesture on X, posting a photo of the singer in the campaign shirt with the caption "Ohio loves you." The interaction highlights the growing intersection of celebrity culture and political campaigning, as high-profile endorsements can energize younger voters and draw national attention to state races.
With the election approaching, Acton's campaign is leveraging the momentum from Rodrigo's support, while Ramaswamy's team is recalibrating after the ad controversy. Acton has seen a fundraising boost following the backlash, and recent polls suggest the race is tightening, making every endorsement and every misstep count.
