The story so far
- Ramaswamy Trails Acton in Ohio Governor Race7 sources
- Estranged Mother Calls Amy Acton a Liar in Attack AdYou are hereLatest
Updated 23m ago · Politics
Estranged Mother Calls Amy Acton a Liar in Attack Ad
A video posted on X late Monday shows Donna Arthur, Amy Acton's mother, telling Ohioans not to elect her. Arthur says Acton lied about growing up in a tent.
- 350,000+ views on one X post of the clip, shared by Walter Curt.
- The video does not say who made it, funded it, or when.
- Acton's campaign blamed Ramaswamy; no evidence links his campaign to the video.
- Recent polls range from Ramaswamy up 2.8 points to Acton up 7.
Why it matters: Acton has built her campaign around a hard childhood in Youngstown. The video attacks that story directly.
- Acton's brother, Phillip Stearns, said their mother stayed married to the man who abused Acton.
- Earlier reporting describes about 18 homes by age 12 and a winter in a tent.
How 25 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
High
Mixed
Low
Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean
25 sources · 30 articles · 68% Right coverage
Where they split: Coverage divides over whether the video exposes a candidate's dishonesty or exploits a family estrangement rooted in abuse.
Center2 sources
Left coverage, 6 sources: The left sees an ugly attack that turns an estranged parent and childhood abuse against Acton, and reads it as a sign Ramaswamy fears losing.
Raw Story44m‘That ad made me feel worse’: Conservatives recoil from Ramaswamy over jarring attack adMediaite3hPro-Vivek Ramaswamy Ad Featuring His Opponent’s Estranged Mother Sparks Bipartisan Disgust: ‘Insanely Monstrous’Political Wire2hOhio Governor’s Race Gets Even UglierAlterNet4hRepublican’s 'despicable' attack ad with Dem’s mom backfires spectacularlyDaily Kos3hSickening ad drags Ohio governor’s race to new lowPolitico2hOhio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton’s campaign condemns ad featuring her estranged mother
Right coverage, 17 sources: The right sees a damaging October surprise that questions Acton's honesty and her central life story, with some outlets noting the claims are unverified.
The Western Journal14hBombshell Ad Upends Ohio Gov Race As Dem Candidate's Mom Denounces Her Daughter, Calls Her Pathological LiarThe Daily Wire18hShocking Ad Featuring Ohio Dem’s Estranged Mom Throws Governor’s Race Into ChaosThe Gateway Pundit2hAmy Acton’s Campaign Issues EXPLOSIVE Statement After Her Own Mother Absolutely Destroys Her in Devastating Ad * The Gateway Pundit * by Cullen LinebargerCitizen Free Press3hAmy Acton’s mother calls her ‘liar’ in brutally honest ad — Ohio race for governor is dead even.Daily Mail4hOhio Democrat's own mother brands her a 'liar' in explosive campaign ad... Vivek Ramaswamy is accused of exploiting dark family historyHot Air7hOne of the Most Brutal Political Campaign Ads Ever Is Unleashed - 'My Daughter Is a Liar'Just the News18hBrother of Ohio Democrat governor nominee Acton denounces attack ad featuring their estranged momNew York Post2hDemocrat's mom urges Ohio to vote against 'liar' daughter in brutal ad — but Amy Acton's family says truth is even more jarringPJ Media9hOhio Dem Gubernatorial Candidate Has Mommy Issues That You Won't BelieveRedState5hWhen Your Own Mother Turns on You: Amy Acton Hit With Savage New Political AdThe Blaze4hDemocrat's mother calls her a 'liar,' tells Ohioans not to vote for her in damning videoThe Right Scoop2hUNFREAKINGREAL VIDEO - Mother tells voters NOT to vote for her daughter as Ohio GovernorThe Washington Times4hMother of Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate calls her 'liar' in scathing videoTownhall10h'She Is a Liar': Ad Featuring Amy Acton's Mom May Torpedo Acton's Entire CampaignTwitchy11hVivek's OH October Surprise: Acton’s Mom Calls Her a Liar Unfit to Govern — ‘She Needs Help' (WATCH)Washington Examiner2hOhio ad with Acton's estranged mother backfires on RamaswamyWND4h‘One hell of an October surprise’: Watch Amy Acton’s mother urge people not to vote for her ‘liar’ daughter in Ohio governor race against Vivek Ramaswamy * WorldNetDaily * by Joe Kovacs
What’s next: Voters choose DeWine's successor on Nov. 3. The Cook Political Report rates the race a toss-up.
- Newsweek asked both campaigns for comment and had not heard back.
- Who produced and paid for the video?
- Will the video move polls in a race already within the margin of error?
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