Politics
Viral video of Amy Acton's estranged mother roils Ohio governor's race
October 20, 2026 at 08:28 PM
Coverage
2 reports · over 1 hour
A video in which the estranged mother of Democratic nominee Amy Acton urges Ohioans not to vote for her has ignited the state's governor's race.
- Published Monday night by Ohio blogger D.J. Byrnes, the video was shared widely on social media, including by Donald Trump Jr., and carried no political ad disclaimer.
- Donna Arthur says in the video that her daughter "has lied her entire life" and cannot help Ohioans.
- Acton's brother Philip Stearns denounced the ad, saying Ramaswamy turned the sexual abuse Acton endured at 12 into a political talking point.
- Ramaswamy's campaign declined to say whether it produced the ad; spokesperson Connie Luck said Ohioans deserve to know what Acton's mother says.

