Ramaswamy ad targets Acton's mother

Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released an attack ad featuring Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton, just two weeks before Ohio's November third gubernatorial election.

Arthur alleges Acton lied about homelessness

In the ad, Arthur says Amy has a serious problem and is a liar, alleging that Acton lied about being homeless as a child and warning voters not to let her become governor.

“It's not easy for a mother to say this, but Amy has a serious problem. She is a liar.”

Acton and Arthur estranged since childhood

Acton and Arthur have not seen each other since Acton was twelve years old, when they went to court in nineteen seventy-eight as Arthur's husband, Acton's stepfather, was charged with sexually abusing Acton.

Arthur did not address abuse charges

The ad makes no mention of the sexual abuse charges against Acton's stepfather or the circumstances that led to the family's estrangement decades ago.

Immediate backlash from public and figures

The ad drew swift backlash from civilians and public figures, with most condemning Ramaswamy's campaign for crossing an ethical line in the race.

Critics call it potentially campaign-ending

Many observers described the ad as a bridge too far and potentially the final nail in the coffin for Ramaswamy's campaign for Ohio governor.

Acton's brother defends her publicly

Phillip Stearns, Acton's brother, released a statement defending her and criticizing Ramaswamy for stooping to exploit the sexual abuse Amy endured as a political talking point.

“stooped to such a despicable low as to attempt to turn the sexual abuse Amy endured at 12 years old from our birth mother's husband into a political talking point.”

Campaign representatives respond

Representatives for both the Ramaswamy and Acton campaigns have responded to the growing controversy surrounding the attack ad and its use of family trauma.