Acton responds to ad, says personal attacks ‘a lifelong pattern’ for Ramaswamy

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton (D) accused Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy of a “lifelong pattern” of personal attacks after a political ad surfaced online in which her estranged mother called her a “liar.”

Acton, who has publicly discussed suffering abuse as a child, suggested Ramaswamy’s campaign was behind the video and criticized him for using her family history just two weeks before Election Day.

“I won’t normalize somebody who has said that my childhood is just something I’m complaining about, who today just released an ad using my birth mother, who I was removed from at the age of 12 for severe abuse and neglect, and sexual abuse,” Action told Spectrum News on Tuesday.

“This is a lifelong pattern with my opponent,” she added, pointing to similar personal attacks Ramaswamy levied towards Nikki Haley’s daughter during a GOP debate in the 2016 presidential election.

It remains unclear who produced or paid for the video, which does not identify a sponsor. Ramaswamy’s campaign has not confirmed any involvement, but spokesperson Connie Luck defended the ad’s criticism of Acton.

“We don’t know what happened between Amy and her mother, who first spoke about Amy in 2020, but we know that Amy Acton is a serial fabulist who has some serious problems with the truth,” Luck said in a statement.

Acton’s campaign also responded Tuesday with its own ad, titled “Abuse,” featuring her brother, Phil Stearns, describing the abuse they endured growing up and ripping Ramaswathy for using it as a talking point in the campaign.

“Shame on Vivek,” he says. “It’s the contempt he has for Amy. It’s the contempt he has for Ohio. He’s not fit to lead.”

The minute-long video, which began circulating on social media on Monday, features Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, calling her daughter a liar and urging voters to avoid casting their ballots for her.

“I love my daughter, but when I saw her lying about her opponent — it is not easy for a mother to say this, but Amy has a serious problem. She is a liar,” she says in the ad.

“People can change, but first they have to tell the truth. And my daughter still isn’t doing that. Don’t vote for people who lie. Don’t let her become your governor. If you think she’ll make your life better, you’re fooling yourself. It will only get worse,” she added.