Ramaswamy’s Acton-mother Ad Ends as Poll Support Falls 6 Points

WHO:

NBC News - Vivek Ramaswamy is the Republican candidate for governor of Ohio; Amy Acton is the Democratic candidate and a former director of the Ohio Health Department.

Truthout - Amy Acton said her estranged mother did nothing to protect her from abuse by her late stepfather.

NBC News - Donna Arthur, Acton’s mother, appeared in an advertisement criticizing her daughter.

NY Post - Ramaswamy’s advertisement featured Donna Arthur, who called Acton a “lifelong liar.”

WHAT:

NBC News - The television run of Ramaswamy’s advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother has ended.

Truthout - Ramaswamy’s poll support fell 6 points following the advertisement featuring Acton’s mother.

NY Post - Ramaswamy pulled the controversial attack advertisement featuring his Democratic opponent’s estranged mother.

NY Post - The report said the personal advertisement appeared to have backfired on Ramaswamy’s Ohio gubernatorial campaign.

WHERE:

NY Post - The campaign is for governor of Ohio.

NBC News - Acton spoke at a campaign event in Cleveland.

WHEN:

NBC News - Acton spoke at the Cleveland campaign event on Saturday.

NY Post - Ramaswamy confirmed the advertisement’s withdrawal at a campaign appearance on Thursday.

(UPDATED October 30, 2026 14:00 UTC)

Vivek Ramaswamy pulled a controversial Ohio campaign ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother. Donna Arthur appeared in the advertisement, criticizing her daughter during the gubernatorial race. Acton said her mother failed to protect her from abuse by her late stepfather.