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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Gambling911.com) - Ohio Republican candidate for governor Vivek Ramaswamy was being universally condemned Tuesday night after admitting his campaign was behind a vile ad featuring Democratic opponent Amy Acton's estranged mother.
Acton's odds of winning that race quickly shot up from -205 just days ago to -350 at Betonline after the ad began running.
For much of the day, the Ramaswamy campaign would not confirm they were behind it.
They finally did.
The campaign ad appeared on social media featuring Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who encouraged Ohioans not to vote for Acton and called her daughter a liar.
Arthur and Acton have been estranged since 1978 when Arthur’s husband, Cledith Arthur, was arrested and charged with the rape of then-12-year-old Acton. The arrest was covered by the Youngstown Vindicator at the time. On Tuesday, Acton’s brother, Phillip Stearns, said he and Acton were removed from their mother’s custody after Cledith Arthur’s arrest.
“Our birth mother stayed married to Amy’s rapist until he died,” Stearns said in a statement shared by Acton’s campaign.
The Twitter community erupted by Tuesday evening.
"Ramaswamy decided that attacking victims of rape/pedophilia is the way to win Ohio."
"As a Republican, I am hanging my head in shame. Truly appalling behavior by both Vivek and Megyn," another wrote, referring also to podcaster Megyn Kelly, who is featured in a heavily edited video clip appearing to side with Anton's mom.
"You’re gross and unAmerican. Ohio is better off without you," another wrote.
"You are a truly disgusting person, can’t believe you’re doubling down here," Vikas Reddy tweeted.
"You’ve got to be one of the worst, despicable, vile, evil candidates to ever run for office. You’re incapable of decency & empathy & revel in exploiting a person’s pain. Truly disgusting behavior."
In his first public appearance since admitting the campaign put out the ad, a man in the audience tore into Ramaswamy.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s first public appearance today didn’t go well: https://t.co/KDAZ9fSF8k
— Ethan Lynne (@ethanclynne) October 20, 2026
- T C Jackson, Gambling911.com
