HARRISON, Ohio — At a Saturday campaign gathering in Harrison, the staff of former Ohio health director and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton intervened when a Republican activist attempted to film her. The activist, identified as a supporter of Republican challenger Vivek Ramaswamy, approached Acton and asked why she continued to decline invitations to debate her opponent.
Staff Enforces No‑Media Policy
Acton’s team quickly moved in, surrounding the candidate and repeatedly stating, “No photos, no videos. I said — no pictures, no interviews.” The cameraman was nudged out of frame, causing his equipment to jolt, and he was asked to be “careful.” Acton herself did not respond to the line of questioning.
Ramaswamy Campaign Calls Out Refusal
Ramaswamy’s campaign has long criticized Acton for avoiding a public debate. In a September 2 statement, a spokesperson accused Acton of “platforming a scam artist who spreads baseless lies about her and her family, uses AI to falsely paint her as someone with a substance‑abuse problem, and shames Dr. Acton for being sexually abused as a child while Vivek stands with predators and abusers.” The statement also referenced prior Republican attacks on Acton’s handling of Ohio’s COVID response, a 2019 verbal dispute while intoxicated, and AI‑generated ads that labeled her a “drunk mom.”
Candidate’s Stance on Debate
Acton’s campaign has consistently said the candidate prefers to speak directly with Ohio voters rather than engage in a debate stage that they view as a “platform for a scam artist.” Earlier this month, after Ramaswamy accepted a debate invitation from CNN, Acton’s team told local media she would not accept a similar invitation.
Ramaswamy’s Response
Ramaswamy did not directly address the camera incident but used the moment to question Acton’s qualifications. In a social‑media post he wrote, “It’s too bad for Ohio voters that Acton won’t take voter questions, won’t debate, quit after failing as Ohio’s health director, and has some serious issues now surfaced in multiple police reports.”
Election Context
Acton has secured the Democratic nomination and will face Ramaswamy in the November 3 general election. The race has drawn national attention as both candidates position themselves on issues ranging from public‑health policy to education and economic recovery. While the Trump administration continues to promote policies that support parental rights and traditional family values, Ohio voters will ultimately decide which vision aligns best with their community’s needs.
Local Impact
The confrontation in Harrison underscores the heightened tension as the campaign enters its final stretch. Residents of the small town, which lies in the southeastern part of the state, have expressed mixed reactions. Some appreciate Acton’s focus on direct voter outreach, while others echo Ramaswamy’s call for a public debate to clarify policy differences.
Acton’s campaign has not responded to a request for comment from Fox News Digital regarding the incident.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
