Acton responds to Ramaswamy’s ad: ‘It’s despicable’

Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee in Ohio’s governor race, responded for the first time to a controversial campaign ad from her opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, that featured her estranged mother calling her a liar.

“A sad thing, and I feel like it was an exploitative thing to do. My mother is not well,” Acton told CBS affiliate WBNS . “So, I think it’s despicable.”

In another interview with CNN , Acton noted how “many people are outraged by this because so many people have experienced some sort of trauma or abuse in their lives.”

“And so I‘m much more focused on a message that reaches them than on the antics of an out-of-touch billionaire who would be a danger to my state,” she continued.

Acton has talked about experiencing physical and sexual abuse, along with neglect, during her childhood. Her mother stayed with her stepfather even 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.

Acton alleged the attack ad was part of a “ lifelong pattern ” for Ramaswamy, pointing to personal attacks he levied toward Nikki Haley’s daughter during a GOP debate in the 2016 presidential election.

Ramaswamy confirmed Tuesday that his campaign funded the ad, which showed Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, calling her a “liar” and insinuating she suffered from mental health issues. When asked by a local outlet if he stood by the claims in the ad, Ramaswamy stated, “To be clear, this is not new.”

“Her mother has spoken out for years, and I don’t know Amy Acton’s mother and I’ve never met Amy Acton either. What I do know is that Amy Acton has been repeatedly and serially dishonest during this campaign,” Ramaswamy said.

In a statement to The Associated Press, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy’s campaign said Acton’s mother was not paid for the ad, adding that it will air online and on TV as Election Day draws near.

His campaign is also reportedly spending $4 million to air the spot statewide, first reported by Axios , doubling down despite criticism from both sides of the aisle .

Acton’s brother condemned the ad, saying in a statement to CBS News it was a “desperate” dig from Ramaswamy in a tight gubernatorial race and that their mother “stayed married to Amy’s rapist until he died.”