# Ohio Governor-elect Amy Acton Refuses Dialogue with Vivek Ramaswamy Acton condemns opponent's campaign tactics following a controversial attack ad involving her family. - **Source:** [CBS News – Politics](https://www.cbsnews.com/politics) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/999217ae-256f-4282-8699-9871425e149a ## Post-Election Standoff Confirmed Ohio Governor-elect Amy Acton officially stated she has no intention of speaking with her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy. This declaration follows her victory in the recent gubernatorial election held this past Tuesday. Ramaswamy claimed he left a congratulatory message for Acton, but she remains firm in her refusal to engage. ## Controversial Campaign Tactics The tension stems from a campaign advertisement released by Ramaswamy featuring Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur. The ad depicted Arthur labeling her daughter a liar, despite Acton having no contact with her since age twelve. Acton described the move as a terrible and despicable action taken during a struggling campaign. ## Traumatic Family History Acton and her brother were removed from their mother's care following the arrest of their stepfather, Cledith Arthur. He was charged with raping Acton when she was between ten and twelve years old. Records indicate her mother remained married to the perpetrator until his death in the year 2004. ## Broad Political Condemnation The attack ad faced significant backlash from both Democratic and Republican leaders, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Senator Jon Husted. Conversely, President Trump defended the advertisement as very powerful. He explicitly stated that he urged Ramaswamy not to remove the content despite the widespread criticism from the political establishment. ## Focus on Public Decency Acton emphasized that voters are exhausted by the hate, chaos, and vitriol that characterized the recent campaign cycle. She advocates for a return to public service, unity, and decency in government. The governor-elect believes her victory signals a public desire for leaders who prioritize solving problems over engaging in personal attacks. ## Platform and Policy Priorities Beyond the campaign rhetoric, Acton has outlined specific policy goals for her administration. She intends to implement a conditional moratorium on data centers to protect local air and water quality. Furthermore, she aims to attract high-paying union jobs to Ohio while ensuring the state is not exploited by outside corporate interests. ## Accountability in Leadership Acton maintains that the words of political leaders carry significant weight and must be held to high standards. She characterized the campaign ads as being full of lies and hate throughout the entire race. Her refusal to speak with Ramaswamy serves as a personal stance against what she deems unacceptable political behavior. ## Future Governance Outlook As Acton prepares to take office, her administration faces the challenge of uniting a polarized electorate. Her focus on economic development through union jobs and environmental protection will be central to her tenure. The rejection of traditional political combat suggests a shift in how she plans to approach her upcoming gubernatorial responsibilities. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amy-acton-vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-governor-campaign-ad/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._