We, the undersigned alumni of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, are writing independently to express our deep moral disappointment in the campaign conduct of fellow alumnus Vivek Ramaswamy ('03) and to unequivocally condemn his recent political advertisement targeting Dr. Amy Acton.

Every student who walks the halls of St. Xavier is taught that our guiding purpose is to become "Men for Others"—an ideal rooted in empathy, integrity, servant leadership, and the defense of human dignity. True leadership lifts communities up; it does not weaponize childhood trauma for political expediency.

The recent $4 million attack ad produced by Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial campaign—featuring the estranged mother of his opponent, Dr. Amy Acton—crosses a line of basic human decency. Dredging up family pain tied to documented childhood trauma, abuse, and foster care is cruel, cynical, and an affront to the values our shared education sought to instill.  

Furthermore, while Ramaswamy frequently crafts a campaign narrative centered on attending public schools to present an everyman persona, the truth is that he spent his formative high school years at St. Xavier—a private, college-preparatory Jesuit institution. While there is no shame in having had access to private education, using that background selectively while ignoring the moral responsibilities that came with it diminishes the trust expected of public servants.  

Important Disclaimer:

St. Xavier High School is a 501(c)(3) educational institution and, by law and policy, cannot endorse, oppose, or comment on political candidates. This petition is organized and signed solely by independent alumni acting in our personal capacities as citizens and graduates who care deeply about the integrity of our school's values and mission.

Our Call to Action:

We call on Vivek Ramaswamy to:

1. Immediately pull the ad featuring Dr. Acton's estranged mother from television, digital platforms, and radio.

2. Issue a public apology for weaponizing family trauma and domestic abuse in an electoral campaign.

3. Commit to debating policies and records rather than resorting to personal cruelty that violates the foundational standard of being a "Man for Others."

By adding your name below, you affirm that character matters in leadership, and that our alumni community will not remain silent when our shared values are discarded for political gain.

For additional context on the controversy and reaction surrounding this ad, you can watch CBS News coverage of the Ohio ad backlash, which details the public response from both campaigns and community members. https://youtu.be/2P1EV1r0U3A?is=_DpTjwPgj3PX2Ht1