Democratic Ohio Governor-elect Amy Acton said Friday she has “no intention” of speaking to Vivek Ramaswamy, her Republican opponent in the governor’s race, after airing what she called a “terrible and despicable” ad featuring her estranged mother.
In her first television interview on “CBS Mornings,” Acton was asked if she had spoken to Ramaswamy since she defeated him In Tuesday’s elections. Ramaswamy said during his concession speech that he called Acton and left her a message to congratulate her on her victory.
“I have no intention of talking to him,” Acton said. “I believe that the words of leaders matter and that we need to hold people accountable.”
The Ohio gubernatorial race drew increased national attention in the final days of the campaign when Ramaswamy broadcast an attack ad featuring Acton’s ex-mother, Donna Arthur, who called her daughter a “liar”. But Acton hadn’t seen Arthur since he was 12.
Acton and his brother had been removed from their mother’s custody after their stepfather, Cledith Arthur, was arrested and charged with raping Acton when she was between 10 and 12 years old. Acton’s brother said their biological mother remained married to him until her death in 2004.
Democrats and many Republicans denounced the announcementincluding Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine and Senator Jon Husted. But President Trump defended the ad as “very powerful” and said he had urged Ramaswamy not to remove it.
Acton said Ramaswamy airing the ad “was a terrible and despicable thing to do, and I think he did it because they were having difficulties in their campaign.”
She said it was “clear” that her biological mother “wasn’t doing well.”
“I would like to say I didn’t expect this, but there was no low that my opponent wouldn’t sink to,” Acton said. “These ads have been full of lies, hate and vitriol throughout the campaign.”
The governor-elect said she heard from Ohio voters throughout the campaign that they were eager to see elected officials who “actually solve problems.”
“They are tired of the hatred, the chaos and the vitriol,” she said. “You know, I’m a scrappy kid from Youngstown. I’m not afraid of a fight, but kindness is not weakness, and that’s an important message we’ve seen. People are ready for public service, unity and decency.”
Acton also made data centers is part of her campaign platform and has come out in favor of a conditional moratorium on the installations. She said she wants to protect air and water, as well as create “good-paying” union jobs in Ohio.
“We are open for business, but we are not for sale and we are not to be taken advantage of,” she said.
Gn usa
