Acton says Ramaswamy chose to exploit her childhood to save his campaign
Amy ActonDemocratic nominee for Ohio governor, speaking to supporters
Speaking to supporters the day Ramaswamy confirmed the ad was off the air, Acton said he had chosen to exploit her childhood on purpose to save a struggling campaign, and that it would not work.
“My opponent has now chosen to exploit my childhood intentionally ... He's doing it in a desperate attempt to save his struggling campaign. But I'll tell you, Mr Ramaswamy, it's not going to work.”
Reporting
Other statements by Amy Acton in this case
- Acton condemns Ramaswamy in an October 24 interviewEarlier: Condemned
- Acton's campaign says Ramaswamy pulled the ad without an apologySame day: Condemned
- Acton calls the ad "absolutely despicable" after it leaves the airLater: Condemned
Where this statement fits
Ramaswamy's campaign defends using Amy Acton's estranged mother in an attack ad
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign produced an advertisement in which Amy Acton's estranged mother accuses her of lying. Acton says Ramaswamy took advantage of her mother, and the campaign defends its attack on Acton's credibility. Critics from both parties condemn the tactic, while Laura Loomer defends it.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Guardian report of October 29, 2026 that Ramaswamy confirmed his campaign is no longer airing the ad featuring Donna Arthur, with his remarks to a reporter in Vandalia, Ohio, the Acton campaign's new response ad and Acton's remarks to supporters that day.
Before the quotation
Acton told supporters that she and her brother had experienced abuse and neglect as children, had often been in the care of children's services and had ended up living in a tent in winter.
After the quotation
Her campaign released a new ad the same day accusing Ramaswamy of exploiting the sexual abuse of a child and spending millions lying to voters about it.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The matter under scrutiny is the campaign's use of Acton's estranged mother in the ad. Acton says the ad deliberately exploits her childhood abuse for political gain, which condemns it, as in her earlier statements.
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More from this case
Read the full caseGraham says Ramaswamy's "Relax" ad dismisses objections to the earlier ad
“Deploying the word "relax" in response to objections to Ramaswamy's exploitation of a child's rape diminishes the horrors that Acton endured and has carried as a survivor.”Read statement
Ramaswamy says the ad was about Acton lying about him
“Our ad was about her lying about me, and I can confirm she has lied about me extensively in this race, and it's shameful”Read statement
Trump asks why Acton's mother's words are Ramaswamy's problem
“The mother said that Amy Acton, the daughter, is a liar, that she's no good, that she lied about the opponent. How the hell is that his problem?”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Acton says Ramaswamy chose to exploit her childhood to save his campaign". First published: 2026-10-31. Last updated: 2026-10-31. https://disputeindex.com/events/7447-speaking-to-supporters-the-day-ramaswamy-confirmed-the