Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton has become the second-highest fundraiser on the Democrat-aligned platform ActBlue this week, as controversy over a campaign advertisement featuring her estranged mother draws national attention to the race.
Acton is challenging Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the contest to succeed term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH). The race made headlines this week after Ramaswamy’s team embraced an advertisement featuring Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, who urged voters to reject her daughter’s candidacy.
“She lies about her past,” Arthur says in the advertisement. “She’s lied her entire life.”
Acton has been estranged from her mother for decades. On Tuesday, she said she was sexually abused by Arthur’s husband between the ages of 10 and 12 and accused her birth mother of failing to protect her.
“I’ve always known that she was deeply sick and unwell, and it’s sad to see Vivek Ramaswamy exploit her all for his own political gain,” Acton said.
Her brother, Philip Stearns, also condemned the advertisement, calling it “disgusting.”
The spot has drawn criticism from prominent Ohio Republicans, including DeWine, who urged Ramaswamy to take it down, describing it as “deeply, deeply troubling.”
Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), who is facing former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in a close race, also criticized the decision to air the advertisement, saying, “I would not have run that ad.”
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, however, have defended Ramaswamy as he seeks to defeat Acton and win the governor’s mansion.
Although the advertisement initially circulated on social media through third parties rather than directly from Ramaswamy’s campaign, his team subsequently took credit for the spot and committed $4 million to promote it.
Illinois first lady MK Pritzker, the wife of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, contributed $500,000 to Acton’s campaign, citing the advertisement as a reason to support the Democrat.
“Bad men gain power when we refuse to stand up and fight,” Pritzker said.
OHIO AD FEATURING AMY ACTON’S ESTRANGED MOTHER BACKFIRES ON RAMASWAMY CAMPAIGN
“This race is about standing up to bullies, confronting extremism, and making damn sure that men who thrive on cruelty and division don’t get a free pass to govern,” she added.
According to polling released Tuesday, Ramaswamy is trailing Acton by 7 points. If Acton wins, she will become the first Democratic governor in the Buckeye State since 2011.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
