Vance defends Ramaswamy ad featuring Amy Acton's mother as Ohio race heats up

Summary

An advertisement by Republican Vivek Ramaswamy featuring Democrat Amy Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, has intensified the Ohio gubernatorial race. According to The New York Times, Vice President Vance defended the ad despite backlash. The Times reports that Acton and her mother have been estranged since her stepfather was charged with child rape. Hindustan Times reports that Arthur lost custody of her children in 1978, and that the ad has brought that custody loss back into focus.

Timeline

1. Hindustan Times

   20 Oct 2026, 22:21 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that an advertisement by Vivek Ramaswamy targeting Amy Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, has heated up the Ohio gubernatorial race, and that Arthur lost custody of her children in 1978.

2. The New York Times

   21 Oct 2026, 22:20 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that Vice President Vance backed the advertisement featuring Democrat Amy Acton's mother, who has been estranged from Acton since her stepfather was charged with child rape.