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Politics · October 20, 2026

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton condemns ad featuring her estranged mother

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In the final weeks of the Ohio gubernatorial race, an attack ad featuring Democratic nominee Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, has sparked intense controversy. The ad shows Arthur calling her daughter a "liar" regarding her past, including her claims of childhood homelessness. Acton and her brother, Philip Stearns, condemned the ad, highlighting that Acton was removed from her mother's custody at age 12 due to sexual abuse by her stepfather. While the ad initially lacked attribution, GOP challenger Vivek Ramaswamy later confirmed to reporters that his campaign produced it, though he denied paying Arthur for her participation. The campaign has faced backlash from both Democrats and some Republicans for exploiting childhood trauma, while Ramaswamy defends the ad as a legitimate response to what he calls Acton's "serious problems with the truth."

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Reported across the spectrum

  • Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign produced an attack ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur.
  • Donna Arthur calls Acton a liar in the ad, specifically disputing Acton's claims about her childhood.
  • Amy Acton was removed from her mother's custody at age 12.
  • Court records from 1978 show Acton's stepfather was arrested for the rape of a 12-year-old girl.
  • Philip Stearns, Acton's brother, issued a statement denouncing the ad and Ramaswamy.
  • Ramaswamy claims Arthur was not compensated for her appearance in the ad.

Reported by only some outlets

  • Just the News notes that Acton holds a 3.7% lead in the race according to RealClearPolitics.
  • Ohio Capital Journal reports that court records confirm police found Acton's stepfather living in a tent when she was a child.
  • ABC News notes that the ad was shared online by Donald Trump Jr.
  • Ohio Capital Journal mentions that Acton's stepfather fled and remained a fugitive until his death in 2004.
  • ABC News reports that Arthur previously accused Acton of lying in a 2020 interview with an anti-abortion group.

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CadNews does not determine absolute truth or endorse political viewpoints. It compares publicly available reporting, identifies shared facts, highlights framing differences, and flags uncertainty.