‘She is a liar’: Amy Acton’s estranged mother urges Ohio voters to reject her in Governor’s race
CLUMBUS, OHIO: A woman claiming to be Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton’s estranged mother has appeared in a video attacking the Democrat’s credibility and urging voters to reject her.
The ad, that began circulating on social media on Tuesday, October 20, challenges Acton’s account of her childhood, prompting her campaign to accuse Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy of dragging private family issues into the contest to gain a political edge ahead of November’s election.
🔥🚨 HOLY SMOKES — Amy Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, released a direct message telling Ohio voters NOT to support her daughter for governor. She stated that Acton lies about her childhood, that the tent story is false, and that her daughter has a serious problem with the truth. Arthur said she loves her daughter but that Acton cannot help anyone else until she stops lying, and she warned that voting for her will only make life worse. The core of Acton’s campaign pitch just got torched by her own mother... https://t.co/nroV2gRCpS
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) October 20, 2026
Amy's mother calls her 'a liar'
A video targeting Acton surfaced on social media featuring a woman who identifies herself as Donna Arthur and says she is the candidate’s mother.
Journalist and podcast host Walter Curt shared the footage online.
Arthur begins by discussing her own professional background, saying she worked with a family services organization and helped launch an early initiative for children who had experienced abuse.
She then shifts to her daughter’s bid for governor, questioning her honesty and asking voters to reconsider their support.
“I love my daughter, but when I saw her lying about her opponent and it’s not easy for a mother to say this, but Amy has a serious problem,” Arthur says.
She follows that statement with a blunt accusation: “She is a liar. She lies about her past.”
Arthur also challenges Acton’s account of her childhood, specifically disputing the claim that she spent part of it living in a tent.
She urges Ohioans not to vote for her daughter, arguing that an Acton victory would not improve their lives.
“Don’t let her become your governor,” Arthur says. “If you think she’ll make your life better, you’re fooling yourself. It will only get worse.”
Amy Acton claims her mother and stepfather abused her as a child and that criminal charges were filed against them. Acton's mother says that isn't true. This conflict can easily be resolved by finding a record of the charges.
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) October 20, 2026
Amy’s brother slams Vivek Ramaswamy
Acton’s team pushed back against the video, with her brother, Philip Stearns, accusing Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy of bringing painful family matters into the election campaign.
Stearns alleged that Acton suffered serious abuse at the age of 12 at the hands of her stepfather.
He claimed that even after the man was arrested and the children were removed from their home, their biological mother remained married to him until his death.
In his response, Stearns characterised the video as a politically motivated attempt to undermine his sister, accusing Ramaswamy of exploiting her childhood trauma to sway voters.
The dispute has also drawn attention to the estrangement between Acton and her mother, a separation that her campaign says is rooted in events from her childhood.
The family dispute has surfaced as Acton and Ramaswamy vie for the Ohio governor’s office in a race drawing national interest.
Ramaswamy, who previously ran for the Republican presidential nomination, is challenging Acton, a doctor who formerly led the Ohio Department of Health.
Ohio has voted for President Donald Trump in both of his presidential election victories, but the governor’s race remains competitive.
A Marist poll released on October 20 put Acton seven points ahead of Ramaswamy among likely voters, with Acton receiving 50% support compared with Ramaswamy’s 43%.
