Amy Acton's Staff Confront Reporter Over Debate Question

Campaign personnel for Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton confronted a Republican activist with a camera last Saturday at an event in Harrison, Ohio, when he attempted to ask Acton why she has not agreed to debate her opponent, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.

As the cameraman approached Acton, her staff intervened, blocking his view and repeatedly stating, "No photos, no videos," and "I said — no pictures, no interviews." Video footage of the encounter shows Acton walking away from the interviewer. At one point, Acton's staff appeared to bump the cameraman's equipment, prompting him to caution them to "be careful."

Acton did not respond to the questions. The incident adds to criticism from Ramaswamy's campaign regarding Acton's refusal to participate in a debate.

Earlier in September, Acton's campaign stated she would not accept a debate invitation from CNN, to which Ramaswamy had agreed. A spokesperson for Acton's campaign criticized Ramaswamy, calling him a "scam artist" who spreads "baseless lies" and uses AI to create false narratives about her, including depicting her as having a substance abuse problem and shaming her for being sexually abused as a child.

Ramaswamy's campaign has pointed to Acton's record as Ohio's former health director, a 2019 domestic dispute while she was intoxicated, and the AI-generated campaign ads. The campaign also referenced Ramaswamy's stance on releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

In response to Acton's criticisms, Ramaswamy questioned her qualifications to lead the state, citing her refusal to debate and past actions as health director. "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," Ramaswamy said on social media.

Acton, who cleared the Ohio Democratic primary, is set to face Ramaswamy in the general election on November 3. Acton's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the Saturday interaction.