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Ramaswamy takes responsibility for attack ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother
The campaign says the ad tested well with persuadable voters, even as Republicans warn the personal attack could backfire.
- On Monday, Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign confirmed it produced a viral ad featuring Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur. The campaign is pouring $4 million into the statewide effort despite fierce bipartisan backlash.
- In the ad, Arthur accuses her daughter of lying about her childhood marked by abuse and neglect. Acton has previously detailed sexual abuse by her stepfather, Cledith Arthur, stating her mother remained married to him until his death.
- Acton's brother, Philip Stearns, condemned the ad as a "desperate, disgusting attack" exploiting the sexual abuse Acton endured between ages 10 and 12. On Tuesday, Acton stated her mother failed to protect her from her stepfather's abuse.
- Many Republicans warned the ad could backfire amid the Epstein files controversy elevating child sexual abuse as a national issue. Conservative commentator Mary Katharine Ham criticized the strategy, though Donald Trump Jr. urged Ohio voters to "watch and think about what it means."
- A mid-October Marist survey showed Acton leading Ramaswamy 50% to 43% among likely voters. The candidates diverge on property taxes, income taxes, and K-12 education policy in Ohio's governor race.
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11 Articles
11 Articles
A commercial has made eyes turn to the Ohio gubernatorial election. In the film co-written by Democratic candidate Amy Acton's opponent, the Trump-friendly Vivek Ramaswamy, Acton is called a liar — by his own mother.
·Stockholm, Sweden
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Ramaswamy takes responsibility for attack ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R) confirmed to reporters Tuesday evening that his campaign was behind a new attack ad featuring his Democratic opponent Amy Acton's mother calling her a "liar" and insinuating she suffers from mental health issues. Ramaswamy acknowledged that his campaign produced the ad, which began circulating on social media Monday night and drew backlash from Democrats and some Republicans over its deeply person…
·Washington, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 20%
R 20%
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