GOP Doubles Down on Ad Exploiting Ohio Democrat’s Childhood Rape and Abuse
The last time Dr. Amy Acton—a physician and Ohio’s Democratic nominee for governor—says she saw her mom in person was the day her stepfather Cledith “Bud” Arthur was charged for raping her as a minor. Arthur pleaded not guilty and fled the state before he could be convicted. Despite warrants for his arrest, Acton’s mom, […]
Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is increasing his campaign's use of a controversial ad that uses Dr. Amy Acton's mother's alleged connection to her stepfather's rape conviction as a smear tactic. According to sources, the ad, initially reported by progressive Ohio blogger D.J. Byrne, features Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her daughter of "lying her entire life."
The ad has yet to reveal who financed or approved its production. Ramaswamy, the GOP's gubernatorial candidate, confirmed the ad was his campaign's creation and stated his intention to focus on "substantive issues" impacting Ohioans. However, he defended the ad, saying Acton had been "hiding from those issues." Vice President JD Vance supported Ramaswamy's stance, criticizing Democrats for being more concerned about the ad than issues facing the United States.
Acton, the Democratic nominee, has described her mother as "deeply sick and unwell." Her brother, Philip Stearns, also criticized Ramaswamy, alleging the politician had used Acton's past sexual abuse to make a political statement. Earlier this year, Ramaswamy's campaign ran an ad featuring a struggling farmer, whose husband had a prior conviction for molesting minor nieces. The campaign removed the husband from the ad after public backlash.
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