# Vivek Ramaswamy's Amy Acton Ad Backfires

> Vivek Ramaswamy's ad using Amy Acton's mother as a 'liar' backfires in Ohio election.
- Title: Vivek Ramaswamy's Amy Acton Ad Backfires · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: Vivek Ramaswamy's ad using Amy Acton's mother as a 'liar' backfires in Ohio election. Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign used Amy Acton's mother to claim she lied…
- Keywords: vivek ramaswamy, amy acton, ohio governor, democratic nominee, republican campaign, political ad, family attack, election strategy, Vivek, Ramaswamy's, Amy, Acton
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/vivek-ramaswamy-amy-acton-mom-ad-loser-behavior-12599850
- Published: 2026-10-21T15:04:34+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: vivek ramaswamy, amy acton, ohio governor, democratic nominee, republican campaign, political ad, family attack, election strategy
## Amy Acton's Mother Ad
An elderly woman claims Amy Acton lied about being homeless as a child and urges voters to reject her.

> My name is Donna Arthur, and I'm Amy Acton's mother
## Ad Claims Acton Lied
The ad surfaced online with no sponsor and claims Acton's stepfather sexually abused her.

> Court records show the stepfather was charged in 1978 with raping Acton, then 12
## Stepfather Fugitive
The stepfather skipped a court hearing and remained a fugitive until at least 1981.

> He was indicted, skipped a court hearing and remained a fugitive until at least 1981
## Acton and Mother Estranged
Arthur lost custody of her children, and Acton says she has not seen her since they shared a courtroom.

> Arthur lost custody of her children, and Acton says she has not seen her since they shared a courtroom
## Ramaswamy Campaign Response
Ramaswamy's campaign claimed the ad and said it would spend $4 million promoting it.

> Ramaswamy's campaign had claimed the ad and said it would spend $4 million promoting it
## Political Backlash
Meghan McCain called the ad 'dastardly' and cast 'shame' on those who made it.

> Meghan McCain called it 'dastardly' and cast 'shame' on those who made it
## Historical Context
Newsweek found 13 cases where one side used a rival's relatives in elections since 2000.

> A Newsweek review of House, Senate and governor's races found 13 cases, across 12 contests going back to 2000
## Historical Outcomes
In 10 cases, the side that reached for the family lost seven times.

> In the 10 cases where the votes have been counted, the side that reached for the family lost seven times
## Key takeaway

Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign used Amy Acton's mother to claim she lied about being homeless, but polls show Acton leads by 19 points among independents.