Politics
Acton's family criticizes Ramaswamy ad featuring her estranged mother
Ramaswamy's campaign casts doubt on Acton's childhood account, and ABC News cannot verify the video.
The short version
- Acton's family criticized Ramaswamy's campaign for using her estranged mother in a recently released ad.[The Guardian]
- An online video that appears to be a campaign ad shows Donna Arthur saying Acton has lied about her past; ABC News could not verify it.[ABC News]
- Acton's brother, Philip Stearns, said she is estranged because their mother stayed married to a man who sexually abused Acton at age 12.[The Guardian]
- Ramaswamy's spokesperson, Connie Luck, said the campaign does not know what happened and called Acton a serial fabulist.[The Guardian]
Key facts
- Amy Acton is the Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, and Vivek Ramaswamy is her Republican opponent.[The Guardian]
- Acton's family criticized Ramaswamy for using Acton's estranged mother in a recently released campaign ad.[The Guardian]
- In an online video that appears to be a campaign ad, Donna Arthur, Acton's mother, says Acton has lied about her past.[ABC News]
- Philip Stearns, Acton's brother, said in a Tuesday statement that Acton is estranged from their mother, who stayed married to a man who sexually abused Acton at age 12.[The Guardian]
- Ramaswamy's spokesperson, Connie Luck, said the campaign does not know what happened between Acton and her mother, and called Acton a serial fabulist.[The Guardian]
- ABC News has not verified the video's content or authenticity, and it is unclear who commissioned it.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The video's content, authenticity, and sponsor remain unverified, and ABC News has not confirmed who commissioned it.[ABC News]
- Luck's characterization of Acton's truthfulness is the Ramaswamy campaign's position and is contested by Acton's family.[The Guardian]
- Stearns's account of the abuse is attributed to him and is not independently confirmed in the provided reporting.[The Guardian · ABC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Ohio Democrat’s family criticizes Vivek Ramaswamy for bringing up estranged mother in gubernatorial adThe Guardian - US
- Amy Acton campaign slams Ramaswamy over controversial ad featuring estranged motherABC News - Top Stories
- Ohio race takes ugly turn with ad featuring Amy Acton's motherCBS News - US
- Democrat Amy Acton in Ohio pushes back against unattributed ad featuring her estranged motherAssociated Press
- Vance says Republicans should ‘stop whining’ about Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad if they want to winNBC News - Top Stories
- Ramaswamy campaign says it produced ad with Amy Acton's mother and will spend millions to promote itPBS NewsHour - Politics
- Vance Tells Republicans to ‘Stop Whining’ About Ramaswamy’s Viral Attack AdThe Washington Sun
- Vance says Republicans shouldn’t complain about Ramaswamy ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged motherAssociated Press
- Vance praises Ramaswamy for having 'audacity' to run controversial Acton adABC News - Top Stories
- Vance tells Republicans to 'stop whining' about controversial Ohio attack adBBC News - World