Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton rejected allegations about her childhood in a video featuring her estranged mother Tuesday, drawing a family dispute into her race against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
Ohio political blog The Rooster published the full video Monday night. Donna Arthur said Acton had lied about living in a tent as a child and urged Ohio voters not to elect her. Acton confirmed to WOSU that Arthur is her mother and rejected the allegation.
Acton's account of the tent stay predates this campaign. A 2019 Youngstown Vindicator profile based on an interview with Acton recounted her account of spending a winter in a tent near Youngstown. Arthur disputes that account.
Acton told WOSU she experienced abuse and neglect between ages three and 12. Her campaign released a response ad featuring her brother, Phil Stearns, who said both siblings suffered abuse and that Acton endured more of it.
The Associated Press reported that police and court records it reviewed show Acton's stepfather, Cledith Arthur, was charged in July 1978 with raping his stepdaughter, then 12. He pleaded not guilty and later missed a court hearing after his indictment, AP reported.
Acton accused Ramaswamy of releasing the video. In a statement reported by WOSU, Ramaswamy campaign spokesperson Connie Luck called Acton “a serial fabulist” but did not address whether the campaign made or paid for the clip. The video did not identify a sponsor.
Polls have shown different candidates ahead. Marist surveyed likely voters Oct. 15-18 and found Acton leading 50% to 43%, with a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points. An ActiVote poll released Oct. 19 put Ramaswamy ahead 51.4% to 48.6%, with a 4.9-point margin of error. ActiVote surveyed voters from Sept. 27 to Oct. 19.
WOSU linked the candidates' limited voting records to the race's personal attacks. It also noted that no Democrat has won Ohio's governorship since 2006. Ohio voters will choose a governor Nov. 3.
