At a campaign stop in northeast Ohio on Friday, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy defended a television advertisement that features Dr. Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, calling the former public‑health director a liar. Ramaswamy said the ad was not about childhood abuse but about the truth‑telling he believes the Ohio electorate deserves.
Ramaswamy’s response
“The irony is they’re lying about an ad that is about lying,” Ramaswamy told the crowd. “They’re changing the subject because they don’t want to answer for their own failures.” He emphasized that the ad’s focus is on Acton’s record as Ohio’s former public‑health director, not on the painful details of her early life.
Background on the ad
The spot shows Donna Arthur, Acton’s birth mother, accusing her daughter of fabricating her childhood hardships. Arthur, who lost custody of her children after her husband was indicted for raping Acton, also hints at mental‑health concerns. Acton, who has spoken openly about experiencing homelessness and abuse as a child, condemned the advertisement, saying, “I won’t normalize somebody who has said that my childhood is just something I’m complaining about.”
Trump’s endorsement
President Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy, describing the ad as “like hitting pay dirt.” At a rally in Iowa, Trump recalled a conversation with Ramaswamy, saying the candidate called him for advice and that the President urged him to “ride with it.” Trump also expressed a hint of jealousy, noting he never had such a powerful ad in his own campaigns.
Other Republican reactions
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a fellow Republican, criticized the ad, stating, “It’s wrong to run this ad,” and called for its removal. DeWine’s comment reflects a split within the party over campaign tactics, though the Trump administration’s support underscores the ad’s resonance with the national GOP base.
Legal history referenced
Police and court documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal that Cledith Arthur, the stepfather of Acton, was arrested and charged with raping his stepdaughter in July 1978 after a report from Acton’s biological father. The alleged abuse spanned from December 1976 to April 1978. Arthur pleaded not guilty, was indicted by a grand jury, and later became a fugitive before his death.
Implications for the Ohio governor’s race
The ad has intensified the already heated contest for Ohio’s top executive office. Ramaswamy’s campaign argues the spot highlights Acton’s alleged dishonesty, while her supporters view it as a personal attack that distracts from substantive policy discussion. With the primary season approaching, both candidates are likely to double down on their messaging, and the ad’s impact on voter sentiment remains to be seen.
What Ohio voters should watch
Voters in Ohio should monitor how the ad influences the broader conversation about public‑health leadership, personal accountability, and campaign decorum. As the race tightens, the Trump administration’s endorsement may boost Ramaswamy’s visibility among conservative voters, while DeWine’s criticism could temper the party’s enthusiasm for negative campaigning.
Original reporting: 13abc WTVG Toledo (news) — read the source article.
