'This is despicable': Amy Acton responds to Ohio attack ad featuring her estranged mother
Her Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy is airing the ad featuring her mother, whose husband was charged with sexual abuse in her childhood.
Key points
- Amy Acton called Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring her estranged mother "despicable" after it aired this week in the Ohio governor's race.
- The ad does not mention that Acton's stepfather was charged with raping her as a child and that she and her brother were removed from her mother's custody.
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who endorsed Ramaswamy, reportedly called the ad deeply troubling and urged that it be taken down.
Amy Acton, a Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, criticized an attack ad from her Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy that features her estranged mother, calling it "despicable" on Wednesday evening. The ad, launched on Monday, has drawn political backlash and national attention to the race.
In the ad, Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, says Acton "lied her entire life." The ad does not mention that Arthur's husband was charged with raping Acton when she was a child, after which Acton and her brother were removed from Arthur's custody. Acton and Ramaswamy are competing to replace outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine in the 3 November midterm election.
Reaction from officials
DeWine, who endorsed Ramaswamy, has reportedly described the ad as deeply troubling and called for it to be removed. Acton said at a campaign stop that she had never attacked Ramaswamy's family and never would.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said his office was reviewing complaints that the ad may have initially aired without a legally required disclaimer identifying who paid for it. Ramaswamy claimed responsibility the day after its release and said his campaign would spend $4m (£3m) to air it statewide.
This is despicable, what he's done
— Amy Acton
Fallout and polling
The Columbus Dispatch editorial board endorsed Acton after the ad dropped, calling it "revolting and unsettling." Former Republican Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci wrote on X that the ad may have damaged the Republican campaign and that Republicans who fail to distance themselves risk the same.
MK Pritzker, wife of Illinois Democratic governor JB Pritzker, announced a $500,000 donation to Acton. A VoteHub poll released Thursday showed Acton leading Ramaswamy by 1%, within the margin of error, though the surveys were conducted before the ad.
