'This is despicable': Amy Acton responds to Ohio attack ad featuring her estranged mother

Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor of the US state of Ohio, has called an attack ad against her that features her estranged mother "despicable".

Key points

• MK Pritzker, the wife of Illinois' Democratic governor, JB Pritzker, confirmed on Wednesday that she would donate $500, 000 to assist Acton in the election.
• On Thursday, former Republican Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci wrote on X: The floor may have just fallen out from under the Republican campaign for Ohio Governor.
• Acton and Ramaswamy are both running to replace outgoing Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican who endorsed Ramaswamy, in the 3 November midterm election.
• Acton commented on the campaign ad from her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, on Wednesday evening, saying: "This is despicable, what he's done".
• Arthur's husband fled town before he could stand trial, was never prosecuted, and died in 2004.

In the ad Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, notes Acton "lied her entire life". But it does not mention that Arthur's husband was charged with raping Acton when she was a child and that Acton and her brother were then removed from Arthur's custody.

Since it introduced on Monday, the ad has generated political backlash and cast a national spotlight on the race.

In a sign that Ramaswamy may have hurt his chances at winning, DeWine has reportedly described the ad as deeply troubling and pressed it to be taken down.

"I've never attacked his family. I would never do that, " Acton remarked concerning Ramaswamy at the campaign stop on Wednesday evening.

"You can see that there are so many people who have experienced trauma and abuse in their lives, " she continued, referring to the fallout from the ad.

According to information provided to the BBC by Acton's campaign, the last time she saw her mother was in a courtroom in 1978 after her stepfather was indicted.

In an ad that Acton published earlier this week, her brother recalled their abuse as children and chided Ramaswamy for using sexual assault as "a political talking point".

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose remarked his office was reviewing complaints concerning Ramaswamy's ad. It may have initially aired without a legally required disclaimer to tell viewers who paid for it.

Ramaswamy asserted responsibility the day after the ad was issued on social media and noted his campaign would spend $4m (£3m) to air it throughout the state.

In practice, the editorial board of local Ohio news outlet The Columbus Dispatch endorsed Acton after the ad dropped, describing it as "revolting and unsettling".

"And any Republican who fails to distance themselves from this ad risks taking on water as well."

President Donald Trump has remarked: It's a highly unusual situation to have a mother hate a daughter that much. But I don't think that has anything to do with Vivek.

Meanwhile, Vice-President JD Vance has remarked he would like fellow Republicans to stop "whining" concerning the ad and that he was "a little bit disgusted" by criticism from members of his own party.

David Lublin, a professor from American University's School of Public Affairs, informed the BBC that attack ads are not new in US politics but stated "they have become more intense".

He suggested Ramaswamy's ad could be an indication that his campaign is desperate to swing momentum in his favour.

Notably, a poll by VoteHub, external published on Thursday suggested Acton was leading Ramaswamy by 1%, within the margin of error, and observed the surveys were done before the ad.

If Acton wins, she would be the first Democrat elected as Ohio governor in two decades.

Taken together, the developments around ' This is despicable' : Amy Acton responds to Ohio attack ad featuring her point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.