Ohio Gov.-elect Acton says she will not speak with Ramaswamy after controversial ad
Gov.-elect Amy Acton said she has no intention of contacting rival Vivek Ramaswamy, citing a campaign advertisement that featured her estranged mother.
Ohio Democratic governor-elect Amy Acton told "CBS Mornings" she will not speak with Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy after his campaign aired a television ad that included her estranged mother. Acton said, "I have no intention of speaking to him. I do believe that leaders' words matter, and we need to hold folks accountable," and described the ad as "terrible and despicible."
Ramaswamy had indicated in his concession speech that he left a congratulatory message for Acton, but she said she had not spoken to him since the election. The ad, which featured Acton's mother Donna Arthur calling her a "liar," drew criticism from Ohio Democrats and several Republicans, including Gov. Mike DeWine and Sen. Jon Husted. President Trump defended the advertisement, calling it "very powerful" and saying he urged Ramaswamy not to remove it.
Acton, who has not seen her mother since she was 12, noted that her family was removed from her mother's care after her stepfather was charged with raping her as a child. She added that the ad appeared to be a tactic used when Ramaswamy's campaign was struggling.
Speaking about voter sentiment, Acton said Ohio residents want officials who "actually solve problems" and are tired of "hate and chaos and vitriol." She emphasized her platform on protecting air and water, supporting a conditional moratorium on data centers, and creating "good-paying" union jobs, stating, "We are open for business, but we're not for sale, and we're not to be exploited."