COLUMBUS, Ohio — An unattributed political ad featuring Ohio gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, has surfaced online, accusing Acton of lying about her past and urging voters not to support her. The one-minute ad, which first appeared in a post by an Ohio political blogger, spread rapidly across social media platforms overnight. It does not include the legally required “paid for” disclosure for television ads, and the source of funding remains unclear as of publication.
The ad features Arthur stating, “Amy has a serious problem. She is a liar. She lies about her past. She says she grew up living in a tent. None of that is true.” Arthur also claims Acton’s childhood account is fabricated, contradicting the candidate’s longstanding narrative about her upbringing. Acton’s campaign confirmed the ad’s existence but did not immediately respond to requests for comment on its authenticity or funding.
Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, released a statement alleging that Acton and her brother were removed from Arthur’s custody at age 12 due to sexual abuse by Arthur’s then-husband. Stearns stated that Arthur remained married to the abuser until his death. Acton’s campaign has not provided further details on the ad’s origins or whether Arthur was compensated for her appearance.
The ad’s circulation comes two weeks before Election Day, in a competitive race between Acton, Ohio’s former public health director, and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 presidential candidate whose allied groups have spent over $120 million on his behalf. Acton has accused Ramaswamy of orchestrating the ad, citing his history of personal attacks during the GOP presidential primary. Ramaswamy’s campaign did not directly address the accusation or disavow the ad in a statement, instead claiming Acton “has some serious problems with the truth.”
Arthur, who identifies herself in the ad as someone who worked with the Children and Family Service Association to develop early sexual abuse programs, did not respond to requests for verification of her claims. The ad’s production and distribution remain unverified, with no clear attribution to a campaign or political action committee.
Ohio’s gubernatorial race remains tight, with polls showing Acton and Ramaswamy in a close contest. The ad’s emergence has drawn condemnation from some political observers, who argue it exploits personal trauma for electoral gain. Others suggest it reflects the escalating nature of modern campaign tactics in high-stakes races.
The Ohio Secretary of State’s office has not commented on whether the ad violates state disclosure laws, as it was not aired on broadcast television. Social media platforms have not issued statements regarding the ad’s compliance with their policies on political advertising.