Acton Condemns Ohio Campaign Ad Featuring Her Estranged Mother
WHO:
NY Post - Vivek Ramaswamy said his campaign produced the ad.
ABC News - Amy Acton is the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor; her campaign accused her opponent’s campaign of using her estranged mother in a political ad.
CBS News Politics - Acton’s estranged mother called her “a liar” in the ad. Acton’s brother said the ad marked a “despicable low” and alleged their stepfather sexually abused Acton when she was a child.
ABC News Politics - Dr. Amy Acton’s long-estranged mother appeared in an unattributed ad circulating online, calling Acton “a liar” and insinuating that she has mental health issues.
NBC News - Acton is an Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate; Vivek Ramaswamy is her Republican opponent.
NY Post - Acton’s birth mother appeared in an ad denouncing her and warning voters against supporting her; Acton’s campaign accused Ramaswamy of elevating an alleged abuse enabler.
Alternet - The woman in the ad claimed to be Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur. Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, said Ramaswamy was exploiting the sexual abuse Acton allegedly experienced as a child from their mother’s husband.
Alternet - Stearns called the attack “a desperate, disgusting attack” and described Ramaswamy as “a pathetic excuse for a man.”
WHAT:
NY Post - Ramaswamy confirmed, “It is an ad from our campaign,” referring to the one-minute spot.
ABC News - Acton’s campaign alleged that her opponent’s campaign was using her estranged mother in a controversial ad.
CBS News Politics - The ad’s claims and the brother’s abuse allegation were reported as part of the dispute.
NBC News - Acton condemned a new ad circulating online that featured her estranged mother.
Alternet - The ad accused Acton of “lying” throughout her life, including about having lived in a tent during childhood.
Alternet - Acton and her family denounced the ad. Social-media commenters, including some Republicans, criticized it; a Young Republicans chairman said approving such an ad would be “inexcusable and disgusting.”
WHERE:
ABC News - The campaign dispute concerns the Ohio gubernatorial race.
ABC News Politics - The ad was circulating online.
WHEN:
NBC News - The report described the campaign’s final two weeks.
Alternet - The article said the ad began circulating online on Tuesday.
WHY:
Alternet - Stearns said Ramaswamy was attempting to exploit the alleged childhood abuse Acton experienced.
HOW:
Alternet - The article reported that Acton was consistently ahead of Ramaswamy in polls.
Alternet - Pollster Natalie Jackson said Acton’s mother had lost custody of her children after her husband abused Acton; Jackson criticized the decision to feature the mother in the ad.
Alternet - Brady Penman, a Young Republicans chairman affiliated with Turning Point, called approving an attack ad involving a candidate’s parent “inexcusable and disgusting.”
Alternet - The article cited a new Marist poll in which Ramaswamy’s image was rated 37/53.
ABC News Politics - The ad was unattributed and circulated online.
Alternet - The ad used a woman claiming to be Acton’s mother to make accusations about Acton’s honesty.
(UPDATED October 21, 2026 06:00 UTC)
Vivek Ramaswamy confirmed that his campaign produced a one-minute ad featuring the mother of his rival, Acton. Pollster Natalie Jackson criticized the ad, saying Acton’s mother had lost custody of her children after Acton’s father abused her, while a Young Republicans chairman affiliated with Turning Point called approving an attack ad involving a candidate’s parent “inexcusable and disgusting.” Acton was consistently ahead of Ramaswamy in polls, and a new Marist poll rated Ramaswamy’s image at 37/53.
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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 00:24 UTC)
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton’s campaign accused Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign of using an unattributed online ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother, who calls her a liar and questions her mental health. Acton and her family condemned the ad, which also attacks her account of living in a tent as a child. Acton’s brother called the ad a “despicable low” and alleged that their stepfather sexually abused her when she was a child.