Vivek Ramaswamy defends ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother - PBS
Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is defending a campaign ad that features the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. The ad has drawn criticism from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and others for its focus on Acton's traumatic childhood.
Why it matters
The controversy underscores the increasingly aggressive nature of political campaigning and the ethical debates surrounding the use of personal family history in elections.
Mike Catalini, Associated Press Mike Catalini, Associated Press
Julie Carr Smyth, Associated Press Julie Carr Smyth, Associated Press
Republican Vivek Ramaswamy on Friday defended his campaign's ad featuring the estranged mother of Democratic rival Dr. Amy Acton in the closely watched race for Ohio governor.
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Speaking at a campaign stop in northeast Ohio, he said the advertisement, which features Acton's mother calling her "a liar," had nothing to do with childhood abuse.
"The irony is they're lying about an ad that is about lying," Ramaswamy said. "They're changing the subject because they don't want to answer for their own failures."
The advertisement features Acton's birth mother, Donna Arthur, criticizing her and insinuating she has mental health issues. Arthur lost custody of her children after her husband, the children's stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton.
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