Acton wins Cleveland Plain Dealer endorsement in Ohio governor’s race

Ohio Democrat gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton wins the Cleveland Plain Dealer endorsement on Sunday after the newspaper decided earlier this year it would not be endorsing candidates in the state’s toss-up gubernatorial and Senate elections.

“ Vivek Ramaswamy, seeking the highest office in this state, has produced a campaign advertisement that weaponizes the sexual abuse his opponent, Amy Acton, suffered as a child,” the Plain Dealer’s editorial board wrote.

The Plain Dealer serves as the primary newspaper of Cleveland, Ohio and a major outlet operating in the Buckeye state. In September, the Plain Dealer unveiled its picks for the 2026 midterm elections and notably left off the state’s Senate and gubernatorial races following an announcement that the paper would focus on down ballot races, particularly judicial elections.

“We made our endorsement policy to serve our readers. We cannot let it become a reason to remain silent when we believe Ohio faces a choice this consequential,” the editorial board continued. “And our endorsement of Acton rests on more than Ramaswamy’s failure to meet a basic standard of decency.”

“She has earned consideration on her own record, her preparation and her commitment to the people she seeks to serve,” the board added. “And Ramaswamy’s decision to release this vile advertisement reveals a failure of judgment that Ohio cannot afford in its governor.”

The Plain Dealer is referring to an infamous ad leaked last week featuring Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, calling her daughter a “liar” and insinuating she suffered from mental health issues. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy confirmed his campaign was behind the ad.

The ad does not provide any context about the estrangement between Acton and her mother; she was taken out of Arthur’s custody at the age of 12.

Acton has disclosed experiencing physical and sexual abuse, along with neglect, during her childhood. Her mother stayed with her stepfather after he was charged with sexually abusing Acton when she was 12 years old, according to court documents. Acton says the last time she saw her mother was in court the day her stepfather was taken into custody.

President Trump has consistently defended Ramaswamy’s ad , writing in a lengthy Truth Social post, the Republican “should keep it up.”

“That took a lot of courage to do but, essentially, what she was really doing was saving Ohio from making a truly horrible choice! The Press is trying to convince everyone that this Ad is bad, because it’s so good! Who wouldn’t use such an Ad? I would, it’s called, ‘hitting pay dirt,’” the president said.

Other conservatives – including Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) – have condemned the ad and called for it to be taken down .