Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy confirmed his campaign funded a controversial social media advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton, accusing her daughter of dishonesty as the race for governor intensified ahead of the November midterm elections.
Ramaswamy Campaign Confirms Digital Ad Featuring Acton’s Estranged Mother
The digital spot features Donna Arthur, the birth mother of Democratic nominee Dr. Amy Acton, directly criticizing her daughter and urging voters to reject her bid for the statehouse. The video circulated widely online after initially appearing on social media. After initial ambiguity from campaign representatives, Vivek Ramaswamy acknowledged late Tuesday that his operation produced and distributed the ad.
Ramaswamy defended the strategy by pointing to his opponent’s public record and her refusal to participate in specific debates, arguing that the election should focus on substantive policy differences regarding property taxes, energy costs, schools, and data centers.
It is an ad from our campaign. And the thing that I want to say is that I would love for this race and this election to be about the substantive issues that impact Ohioans. And unfortunately, Amy Acton has been hiding from those issues.
Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican gubernatorial candidate, via WOIO
Acton Campaign Denounces the Attack as Family Trauma Enters the Statewide Race
The Acton campaign responded swiftly to the advertisement, condemning it as an exploitative tactic that weaponizes severe family trauma.
At a town hall in Westerville, Vivek Ramaswamy addressed a controversial ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother. https://t.co/Eup71qC4BU pic.twitter.com/isW2M7FzvZ
Dr. Acton and her mother have remained estranged since 1978, following an incident where Acton’s stepfather was criminally charged with sexually abusing her. Acton subsequently testified against him before he fled the state prior to trial; he later died in 2004. Following the release of the ad, Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, called the ad a “despicable low” in what he described as an attempt to turn sexual abuse into a political talking point.
Bipartisan Fallout Reaches National Figures as Endorsements Remain Firm
The controversial advertisement drew sharp criticism across the political spectrum, pulling national figures and state leaders into the controversy. Ohio Mike DeWine described the ad as deeply, deeply troubling
and stated that the Ramaswamy campaign needs to take it down,
though he stopped short of withdrawing his endorsement. Acton expressed appreciation for DeWine’s acknowledgment of the case facts, noting her past professional relationship with him when she directed the Ohio Department of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance defended the campaign’s focus, dismissing concerns over the advertisement during public remarks in Ohio.
I’m a little bit disgusted when I see Republicans across the country who are whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional Democrats and other Democrats want to do to the United States of America.
JD Vance, Vice President of the United States, via WOIO
President Donald Trump also dismissed questions regarding the allegations of childhood abuse, maintaining that the commercial targeted political falsehoods rather than family history.
Ramaswamy's campaign confirms they are behind the ad featuring Acton's momSpot will begin streaming tonight, and will be airing statewidehttps://t.co/cLphxycGoG
Rallies and Public Statements as Voters Weigh the Final Weeks Before Election Day
The controversy unfolded as both campaigns intensified their ground efforts with high-profile surrogates. Dr. Acton campaigned alongside former President Barack Obama and Sen. Sherrod Brown during a rally in Cleveland, where Obama delivered a scathing critique of the Ramaswamy campaign’s tactics and rhetoric.
Ramaswamy countered that his campaign messaging focuses strictly on challenging what he described as fabrications regarding his own business background and political platform.