# Ohio gubernatorial election campaign > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ohio-gubernatorial-election-campaign > Updated: 2026-10-25T17:10:05.000Z. Sources: 182. Developments: 7. The Republican campaign for Governor of Ohio, led by nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, has faced scrutiny regarding his religious identity and theological views. Following a primary victory in May 2026, critics have questioned Ramaswamy’s descriptions of Christian doctrine and his Hindu faith. As the general election progresses, the race between Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton has intensified, with Ramaswamy focusing on economic reforms such as resetting property tax baselines. In October 2026, the campaign became embroiled in controversy following the release of a $4 million social media advertisement featuring Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Amy Acton. In the video, Arthur calls her daughter a “liar,” disputes Acton’s accounts of her childhood—including allegations of homelessness and sexual abuse by Acton’s stepfather, Cledith ‘Bud’ Arthur”—and suggests Acton is a “pathological liar” who requires help, implying mental health issues. Acton, a former Ohio health director, stated she has not had contact with her mother since 1978. Her brother, Philip Stearns, confirmed the abuse and noted that their mother remained married to the man, who was charged with rape, until his death in 2004. Court records and historical documents have been noted to support key aspects of Acton’s account, including the fact that her stepfather fled the state before trial after being charged with sexual contact with her at age 12. Following bipartisan condemnation, including calls for removal from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who described the tactic as “deeply troubling,” the Ramaswamy campaign quietly edited the advertisement. The revised 30-second version removes the disputed claim regarding the tent but continues to feature Arthur accusing Acton of being untruthful. Despite the backlash, Ramaswamy has committed to spending $4 million to continue promoting the ad. Political leaders remain split; while DeWine stated it is “wrong to run this ad,” Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. ## Claims - Donald Trump encouraged Ramaswamy to keep running the advertisement. (disputed by 16 sources) - Donald Trump stated he was unfamiliar with the details of the advertisement. (disputed by 3 sources) - Donna Arthur appears in the advertisement calling Amy Acton a “liar”. (corroborated by 44 sources) - Vivek Ramaswamy released a campaign video featuring Donna Arthur, the mother of Amy Acton. (corroborated by 43 sources) - Amy Acton and her brother Philip Stearns were removed from their mother's custody following the arrest of their stepfather. (corroborated by 34 sources) - Philip Stearns confirmed that Amy Acton was sexually abused at age twelve. (corroborated by 27 sources) - Amy Acton has not seen her mother since she was 12 years old. (corroborated by 26 sources) - Vivek Ramaswamy is a Republican candidate for Governor of Ohio. (corroborated by 21 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: JD Vance faces criticism for defending controversial attack ad Vice President JD Vance is under fire for defending a Vivek Ramaswamy attack ad that features the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton, a victim of childhood sexual abuse. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jd-vance-faces-criticism-for-defending-controversial-attack-ad ### 2026-10-24: Ohio gubernatorial race faces controversy over Ramaswamy attack ad Republican Vivek Ramaswamy faces backlash in the Ohio gubernatorial race after releasing an ad featuring Democratic rival Amy Acton’s estranged mother, sparking debates over campaign ethics and personal history 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vivek-ramaswamy-campaign-releases-controversial-attack-ad-in-ohio ### 2026-10-23: Amy Acton’s estranged mother featured in campaign attack ad Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign released an ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who has a conviction for animal neglect, sparking bipartisan criticism. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/amy-actons-estranged-mother-featured-in-campaign-attack-ad ### 2026-10-22: Vivek Ramaswamy defends controversial Ohio campaign ad Vivek Ramaswamy is defending a controversial Ohio gubernatorial campaign ad featuring the estranged mother of rival Amy Acton, despite criticism from fellow Republicans and shifts in polling. 63 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vivek-ramaswamy-faces-backlash-over-controversial-ohio-campaign-ad ### 2026-10-20: Vivek Ramaswamy faces backlash over Ohio campaign ad featuring rival’s mother Vivek Ramaswamy’s Ohio gubernatorial campaign is under fire for an attack ad featuring the estranged mother of rival Amy Acton, sparking backlash from Democrats and some Republicans. 124 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/amy-acton-faces-criticism-from-mother-in-ohio-gubernatorial-race ### 2026-10-19: Ohio gubernatorial race intensifies between Ramaswamy and Acton Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton are locked in a contested Ohio gubernatorial race, with property tax reform and economic policies serving as central campaign issues. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ohio-gubernatorial-race-intensifies-between-ramaswamy-and-acton ### 2026-09-28: Vivek Ramaswamy faces religious scrutiny in Ohio campaign Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy faces criticism from Christian hardliners and Nalin Haley over his religious views and his claims of shared Judeo-Christian values. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vivek-ramaswamy-faces-religious-scrutiny-in-ohio-campaign --- Cite as: Ohio gubernatorial election campaign. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ohio-gubernatorial-election-campaign