Ramaswamy Is Behind Controversial Anti-Acton Ad

Ohio's governor's race now features a very personal controversy, the New York Times reports. A viral attack ad for Republican Vivek Ramaswamy features Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, accusing Acton of lying about her impoverished childhood and warning, "Don't let her become your governor." Arthur doesn't mention Acton's long-public allegation that her stepfather molested her, a case in which he was indicted, pleaded not guilty, then fled and never faced trial.

Acton's brother, Philip Stearns, blasted the spot as "desperate" and says he and Acton were removed from their mother's custody after the stepfather's arrest, and that Arthur stayed with the accused man until his death. Acton and Arthur both acknowledge they have not spoken since Arthur lost custody, the Washington Post reports. Ramaswamy's campaign openly embraced the ad but initially didn't answer questions about who produced it or whether Arthur was paid. But late Tuesday, it confirmed the campaign is indeed behind the ad, the AP reports. Not only that, it announced it will spend $4 million to promote it, despite the controversy. The campaign also said Arthur was not paid for the spot. Acton has refused to debate Ramaswamy, accusing Ramaswamy of a pattern of personal attacks.