From Straight Arrow · · 2m
Who's behind the video of an Ohio candidate's mother calling her a liar?
Ohio governor candidate's estranged mother accuses her of lying about childhood abuse in viral video.
In brief
Ohio governor candidate's estranged mother accuses her of lying about childhood abuse in viral video. Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton's estranged mother claims she lied about childhood homelessness and abuse in a video released two weeks before election. Originally reported by Straight Arrow.
Quick answers
- Who is the mother?
- Donna Arthur, the mother of Amy Acton, said she decided to speak out when she saw her daughter lying about her opponent.
- Who produced the video?
- Ohio political writer D.J. Byrnes, previously convicted of sending a politician an explicit photo of Shrek, was the first to post the video.
- Who is behind the video?
- Ohio law generally requires campaigns to identify themselves on political communications with a 'paid for by' disclaimer.
- What is the key takeaway from Who's behind the video of an Ohio candidate's mother calling her a…?
- Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton's estranged mother claims she lied about childhood homelessness and abuse in a video released two weeks before election.
Video of accusation
An elderly woman sits in front of a camera as soft piano and strings play in the background.
“Amy has a serious problem. She is a liar.”
Who is the mother?
Donna Arthur, the mother of Amy Acton, said she decided to speak out when she saw her daughter lying about her opponent.
“She lies about her past. She says she grew up living in a tent. None of that is true. She’s lied her entire life. My daughter needs help.”
Childhood claims
Acton described living in a tent and experiencing abuse during childhood in a 2019 interview with the Youngstown Vindicator.
“I was lucky that it got bad enough, because it got me out of there.”
Mother's past dispute
Arthur previously disputed Acton’s childhood account in a 2020 interview with Operation Rescue, an anti-abortion group.
“None of that is true.”
Legal history
In 1978, Arthur’s husband was charged with rape and indicted by a grand jury after Acton’s father reported the abuse to police.
“Arthur’s husband was charged with rape and indicted by a grand jury.”
Campaign response
Acton’s campaign confirmed the woman is her mother and that the two have been estranged for decades.
“The two have been estranged for decades.”
Who produced the video?
Ohio political writer D.J. Byrnes, previously convicted of sending a politician an explicit photo of Shrek, was the first to post the video.
“He said it came from the campaign of vivek ramaswamy, acton’s republican opponent.”
Ramaswamy campaign response
Ramaswamy’s campaign released a statement saying they didn’t know what happened between Arthur and Acton but called Acton a serial fabulist.
“Amy Acton is a serial fabulist.”
Election timing
The video surfaced two weeks before Election Day in a race where polls disagree.
“Two weeks until election.”
Polling conflict
A Marist poll showed Acton leading Ramaswamy 50% to 43% among likely voters, while an ActiVote poll gave Ramaswamy a 2.8-point edge.
“Acton leading ramaswamy 50% to 43%.”
Family reaction
Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, condemned the video in a statement released by Acton.
“After he was arrested and amy and i were removed from their custody, our birth mother stayed married to amy’s rapist until he died.”
Who is behind the video?
Ohio law generally requires campaigns to identify themselves on political communications with a 'paid for by' disclaimer.
“The video doesn’t include one, and no campaign or group has claimed it.”
Video impact
The video drew criticism from political commentators across the political spectrum, with some calling it exploitative of Acton’s childhood sexual abuse history.
“The video drew criticism from political commentators across the political spectrum.”
Unresolved questions
The video’s origin and whether Arthur’s claims hold up against the record remain unclear.
“It’s unclear who produced or paid for it, and whether arthur’s claims hold up against the record.”
Election outcome
The race remains close with conflicting polls showing Acton leading by 7 points or Ramaswamy leading by 2.8 points.
“The race remains close with conflicting polls.”
The one thing
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton's estranged mother claims she lied about childhood homelessness and abuse in a video released two weeks before election.
