Ohio Democrat's family criticizes Vivek Ramaswamy over ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother

Summary

The family of Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, is criticizing her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, for using her estranged mother in a recently released campaign ad. In the ad, which has circulated among conservatives on social media, the mother, Donna Arthur, says: "She says she grew up living in a tent. None of that is true. She's lied her entire life." Acton's brother calls campaigning on his sister's sexual abuse by their mother's husband "a despicable low." The New York Times reports that the two have not spoken since Acton's mother backed her husband after his arrest on rape charges. Hindustan Times reports that Ramaswamy has accepted responsibility for the ad and that Acton has said he is "not fit to lead."

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   20 Oct 2026, 18:38 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that the family of Democratic Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton is criticizing Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy for using her estranged mother in a recently released campaign ad that has circulated among conservatives on social media.

2. The New York Times

   20 Oct 2026, 20:21 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that a Republican ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother, who calls her daughter a liar, has made the Ohio governor's race more heated, and that the two have not spoken since the mother backed her husband after his arrest on rape charges.

3. Hindustan Times

   21 Oct 2026, 11:55 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Vivek Ramaswamy has accepted responsibility for the campaign ad in which Amy Acton's estranged mother accuses her of lying and urges voters not to support her, and that Acton has said he is "not fit to lead."