Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton told ABC News in an interview Saturday that she hopes President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will “look at the facts” of the abuse she says she endured as a child after they defended an attack ad made by GOP nominee Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign.
Bipartisan backlash has hit Ramaswamy’s campaign, after the release of the ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother who Acton says stood by the man who was criminally charged with sexually abusing her as a child. Acton said she hasn’t seen her mother since she was 12 years old.
In the ad, Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, said Acton has lied about her past, though it doesn’t mention the allegations of sexual abuse.
In response to Trump and Vance who have doubled down on and defended the ad, Acton told ABC News, “My job is to work with anyone on any side of the aisle to solve problems instead of making them, and I would say I do hope they would look at the facts.”
Acton spoke to ABC News after a rally in Cleveland with former President Barack Obama.
Acton has alleged her mother’s second husband molested her between the ages of 9 and 12. Charges were filed against her stepfather, and Acton testified against him. He pleaded not guilty, but fled the state before trial and never appeared before a judge. He died in 2004.
Acton said she and her brother endured “extreme child abuse and neglect” in their childhood.
“We were frequent flyers in children’s services … There are facts in this case: a grand jury indictment, fugitive out against bail, and that behavior went on and on,” Acton said.
Speaking to reporters this week about the ad, Trump dismissed questions about the allegations of Acton’s sexual abuse, asserting at multiple points that the ad has “nothing to do” with Acton’s stepfather.
Similarly, Vance told rally attendees in Ohio earlier this week that he is “a little bit disgusted when I see Republicans across the country who are whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional Democrats and other Democrats want to do to the United States of America.”
GOP Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who on Thursday told reporters in Columbus, Ohio, that the ad is “deeply, deeply troubling” and that the Ramaswamy campaign “needs to take it down,” but he did not withdraw his endorsement of Ramaswamy.
Asked whether she was disappointed that DeWine didn’t withdraw his endorsement, Acton said it was “an honor and a privilege” to work with him during COVID-19 pandemic as the director of the Ohio Department of Health.
“I really do appreciate him calling out the facts of the case,” Acton said. “That this was an indictment he knows better than others. He’s a prosecutor. He started his career prosecuting cases like this, and he knew more than anyone. He knows who I am and knows my story.”
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ramaswamy said the ad had nothing to do with childhood abuse.
“We ran an ad about lying,” he said. “Amy Acton is lying. She has been lying this entire campaign about me, about her record, about her history in this state.”
In a statement to ABC News, Connie Luck, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy said: “Ohioans can’t afford a liberal governor who shows up for Obama but never shows up for them.”
Ramaswamy and Acton have never met in person. Asked what she would say to him, Acton said: “I really have no words for Mr. Ramaswamy. I think there is no low that he wouldn’t sink to.”
Speaking to survivors of abuse, Acton said: “For those out there going through it now, hold on, please. If there’s someone you feel safe with, say something about it.”
Obama blasts Trump, says Ramaswamy ‘thirsty’ for attention
Acton campaigned Saturday alongside former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who’s running to win back his seat, and Obama, who was the last Democratic presidential candidate to win the state of Ohio in a presidential election in 2012.
Democrats are eyeing the Senate and gubernatorial races as key pickup opportunities given the headwinds facing Republicans.
In his remarks, Obama delivered a scathing rebuke of the Trump administration on a variety of issues — from the economy to immigration to the war in Iran.
Regarding the GOP candidate for governor, Obama called Ramaswamy “thirsty” for attention.
“Vivek’s own supporters know it’s all about what’s in it for him,” Obama said. “We all know that guy, you know, who … just wants to get attention no matter what, willing to do anything. And in recent days, we’ve seen there is no line he will not cross, no low he will not sink to.”
Obama emphasized what he called a “moral component” to this election and said that “basic decency” is missing from the current public discourse.
ABC News’ Diana Paulsen contributed to this report.
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