Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate's Mother Appears in Ad Calling Her 'Liar'
The ad, which has gone viral, features Donna Arthur targeting her daughter, Democratic candidate Amy Acton, ahead of the November election.
The mother of Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton has appeared in a campaign advertisement stating her daughter is a "liar" and has "lied her entire life."
Donna Arthur, identifying herself as Acton's mother, appears in the ad, which quickly gained traction on social media. "My daughter needs help, and she can't help you if she needs help herself," Arthur says in the clip. "Don't let her become your governor."
Arthur also disputes Acton's past claims of growing up in a tent. "She lies about her past. She says she grew up living in a tent. None of that is true," Arthur states in the ad.
Acton's brother, Phillip Stearns, has accused Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy of producing the ad and exploiting their family's history. "It's not surprising that Vivek Ramaswamy has stooped to such a despicable low as to attempt to turn the sexual abuse Amy endured at twelve years old from our birth mother's husband into a political talking point," Stearns said in a statement.
Acton has publicly shared her experience of sexual abuse by her mother's husband between the ages of 9 and 12. She later filed charges against her mother and husband.
Acton's campaign has stated that she spent one winter living in a tent during her childhood, a period when she and her brother experienced neglect and frequent visits from child services. Acton stated that she was removed from that situation at age 12.
Stearns further criticized the ad, stating, "After he was arrested and Amy and I were removed from their custody, our birth mother stayed married to Amy's rapist until he died." He added, "This desperate, disgusting attack reveals exactly who Vivek Ramaswamy is at his core - a pathetic excuse for a man who is willing to hurt anyone as long as it gets him what he wants."
The ad's release comes as the race between Acton and Ramaswamy tightens. A poll released by Marist University shows Acton leading Ramaswamy by seven points, with 50% of likely voters supporting her compared to 43% for Ramaswamy. However, the poll also indicated that 49% of likely voters believe Ramaswamy will win the election, versus 45% who think Acton will win.