Columbus, Ohio – Democratic candidate for governor Dr. Amy Acton pushed back Tuesday against a one‑minute online advertisement that features her long‑estranged mother, Donna Arthur, labeling Acton a liar and questioning her mental health. The ad surfaced on social media late Monday, just two weeks before Ohio’s November 5 election.
Ad’s Origin Remains Unclear
The video first appeared in a post by an Ohio political blogger and quickly spread across multiple platforms. It lacks the legally required “paid for” disclaimer, leaving viewers without a clear source. Neither the creator nor the funder of the ad has been identified, and it is unknown whether Arthur received compensation for her appearance. Her last known telephone number is disconnected.
Acton Blames Ramaswamy
Acton, the former state public‑health director, told Spectrum News that she will not “normalize” an opponent who has allegedly used her birth mother in a political attack. She suggested that Republican billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who is also a 2024 presidential candidate and has benefited from more than $120 million in campaign spending, was behind the ad. “This is a lifelong pattern with my opponent,” Acton said, referencing prior personal‑attack accusations during Ramaswamy’s GOP primary run.
Ramaswamy Campaign Responds
Ramaswamy’s campaign issued a statement that did not confirm or deny involvement in the ad. Spokeswoman Connie Luck said Acton “has some serious problems with the truth that the public needs to be aware of,” but offered no further comment on the ad’s origins.
Family History Revealed
Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, released a statement confirming that both siblings were removed from their mother’s custody after their stepfather, Cledith Arthur, was indicted for raping Amy when she was 12. Court documents obtained by the Associated Press show Arthur was arrested in July 1978 after a report from Acton’s biological father. The alleged abuse spanned December 1976 to April 1978. Arthur pleaded not guilty, was indicted by a grand jury, and later became a fugitive; he has since died.
Stearns accused Ramaswamy of stooping “to such a despicable low” by attempting to turn the childhood sexual abuse into a political talking point. While Arthur’s voice in the ad does not name Ramaswamy, she suggests Acton misrepresented her opponent and the period when the family was homeless and living in a tent, a claim Stearns corroborates.
Acton’s Campaign Releases Counter‑Video
Following the ad’s circulation, Acton’s campaign posted a video denouncing the attack and reiterating her platform focused on public‑health preparedness, economic opportunity, and protecting Ohio families. The campaign emphasized that the ad is an unverified, partisan effort to distract voters from substantive issues.
Election Context
The Ohio governor’s race remains tightly contested. Acton leads in some polls but the margin is within the typical swing‑state range. Ramaswamy’s substantial personal wealth has allowed him to outspend his opponent, yet both campaigns continue to vie for voter trust amid a flurry of negative advertising.
Ohio’s Secretary of State has reminded candidates and advertisers that any political communication broadcast on television must include a clear sponsor disclosure. The state’s election board is monitoring the situation for potential violations of campaign‑finance rules.
Original reporting: 13abc WTVG Toledo (news) — read the source article.
