Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor of the US state of Ohio, has called an attack ad against her that features her estranged mother “despicable”.
Acton commented on the campaign ad from her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, on Wednesday, saying: “This is despicable, what he’s done”.
In the ad Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, says Acton “lied her entire life”. But it does not mention that Arthur’s husband was charged with raping Acton when she was a child and that Acton and her brother were then removed from Arthur’s custody.
The ad set off a storm of criticism from members of both parties. On Thursday, President Donald Trump sought to defend it and Ramaswamy on social media.
Acton and Ramaswamy are both running to replace outgoing Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican who endorsed Ramaswamy, in the 3 November midterm election.
In a sign that Ramaswamy may have hurt his chances at winning, DeWine has reportedly described the ad as deeply troubling and called for it to be taken down.
“I’ve never attacked his family. I would never do that,” Acton said about Ramaswamy at the campaign stop on Wednesday evening.
“You can see that there are so many people who have experienced trauma and abuse in their lives,” she continued, referring to the fallout from the ad.
The last time Acton saw her mother was in a courtroom in 1978 after her stepfather was indicted, according to Acton’s campaign.
Arthur’s husband fled the state before he could stand trial, was never prosecuted, and died in 2004. Arthur left with him.
In an ad that Acton released earlier this week, her brother recalled their abuse as children and chided Ramaswamy for using sexual assault as “a political talking point”.
Trump, who has endorsed Ramaswamy, blamed the press for the negative reaction to the ad, in a long post where he also commended Arthur and Ramaswamy. Trump blasted DeWine, as well.
He urged Ramaswamy to keep up his attacks and “let everyone listen to the mother of a defective, dishonest, and incapable Candidate, explain how the daughter is a DISASTER who, uncontrollably, lies, cheats, and steals!”
“I only wish the mothers of my opponents would be so brave as to come forward and explain that their son or daughter is a liar, and much worse,” Trump also posted.
In the ad, Arthur repeatedly says Acton lies and asserts she “needs help”, but does not discuss anything related to cheating or stealing.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said his office was reviewing complaints about Ramaswamy’s ad, which may have initially aired without a legally required disclaimer to tell viewers who paid for it.
Ramaswamy claimed responsibility the day after the ad was released on social media and said his campaign would spend $4m (£3m) to air it across the state.
The editorial board of local Ohio news outlet The Columbus Dispatch endorsed Acton after the ad dropped, describing it as “revolting and unsettling”.
On Thursday, former Republican Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci wrote on X: “The floor may have just fallen out from under the Republican campaign for Ohio Governor.
“And any Republican who fails to distance themselves from this ad risks taking on water as well.”
MK Pritzker, the wife of Illinois’ Democratic governor, JB Pritzker, announced on Wednesday that she would donate $500,000 to help Acton in the election.
