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Politics · October 21, 2026

Attack Ad Featuring Candidate’s Estranged Mother Sparks Outrage

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Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for Ohio governor, has confirmed that his campaign is responsible for a $4 million attack ad featuring Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton. In the video, Arthur calls her daughter a "liar" and disputes Acton’s accounts of her upbringing, including claims of homelessness. The ad has drawn intense backlash from the Acton campaign and family members, who cite a public history of childhood sexual abuse involving Acton’s stepfather. Court records indicate Arthur lost custody of Acton as a child following her stepfather's arrest. While the ad initially lacked a disclaimer, Ramaswamy has since taken responsibility for the media buy.

Read the original coverage

Reported across the spectrum

  • Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign produced an attack ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur.
  • Donna Arthur calls Amy Acton a 'liar' in the advertisement.
  • Amy Acton and her mother have been estranged for years following the arrest of Acton's stepfather on sexual abuse charges.
  • Ramaswamy confirmed his campaign's involvement in the ad to reporters on Tuesday.
  • The Acton campaign and family members have publicly condemned the ad.

Reported by only some outlets

  • The Ramaswamy campaign is spending $4 million on the ad buy.
  • Court documents confirm that Acton's biological mother lost custody of her as a child.
  • The ad was first published by a Columbus-based political blogger known as The Rooster.
  • Donna Arthur claims in the ad that she helped build one of the first sexual abuse programs in America.
  • The ad specifically disputes Acton's claim that she grew up living in a tent.

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