Acton’s mother attacks her as brother accuses Ramaswamy campaign of exploiting abuse claims

An online campaign advert features a woman identifying herself as Donna Arthur, Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton’s estranged mother, calling her a liar and urging voters not to elect her. Acton’s brother accused Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign of exploiting her history of childhood sexual abuse, though the advert’s producer is unclear and Ramaswamy’s team has not claimed responsibility.

The dispute centres on Acton’s account of abuse and neglect, including spending a winter in a tent before moving to live with her father at 12; her mother disputes parts of that account. Acton has said she last saw her mother in court after charges were brought against her mother and stepfather. A Marist poll cited in the article put Acton ahead of Ramaswamy by 50 per cent to 43 per cent, with the election due on 3 November.