Donna Arthur, the mother of Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, has publicly criticized her daughter’s character and honesty, accusing Acton of repeatedly lying about her past and warning voters not to support her campaign for governor.

Arthur identified herself as Acton’s mother and described her own professional background in child and family services before turning directly to her concerns about her daughter.

"My name is Donna Arthur, and I'm Amy Acton's mother. I worked at Children and Family Service Association, building one of the first two sexual abuse programs in America."

Arthur said her decision to speak publicly was difficult but necessary after watching Acton make statements she believed were dishonest.

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"I love my daughter, but when I saw her lying about her opponent, it's not easy for a mother to say this. But Amy has a serious problem. She is a liar."

Arthur then accused Acton of misrepresenting details about her upbringing, specifically disputing claims that Acton grew up living in a tent.

"She lies about her past. She says she grew up living in a tent. None of that is true."

Arthur went further, alleging that dishonesty has been a longstanding problem in Acton’s life.

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"She's lied her entire life."

The statement marked an unusually direct intervention from a close family member in a statewide political race. Rather than limiting her criticism to a single campaign claim or policy dispute, Arthur framed the issue as one of personal credibility and fitness for office.

She said she believes her daughter needs help and argued that Acton cannot effectively help Ohio residents if she is unwilling to confront what Arthur described as her own problems.

"My daughter needs help, and she can't help you if she needs help herself."

Arthur also left open the possibility that people can change, but said that change requires honesty.

"People can change, but first they have to tell the truth. And my daughter still isn't doing that."

Her statement then shifted into a direct appeal to Ohio voters, urging them to judge candidates by whether they are truthful.

"Don't vote for people who lie."

Arthur explicitly told voters not to elect Acton governor.

"Don't let her become your governor."

She closed by warning that voters expecting Acton to improve their lives would be disappointed.

"If you think she'll make your life better, you're fooling yourself. It will only get worse."

BOMBSHELL:

Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton’s own mother urges voters not to vote for her daughter. “My name is Donna Arthur and I’m Amy Acton’s mother. I worked at Children and Family Service Association, building one of the first two sexual abuse programs in America. I love my daughter, but when I saw her lying about her opponent—and it’s not easy for a mother to say this—but Amy has a serious problem. She is a liar. She lies about her past. She says she grew up living in a tent. None of that is true. She’s lied her entire life. My daughter needs help, and she can’t help you if she needs help herself. People can change, but first they have to tell the truth, and my daughter still isn’t doing that. Don’t vote for people who lie. Don’t let her become your governor. If you think she’ll make your life better, you’re fooling yourself. It will only get worse.” That’s one hell of an October surprise. — Walter Curt (@wcdispatch) October 20, 2026

Arthur’s comments place Acton’s personal history and credibility at the center of the gubernatorial race. The statement does not focus on specific policy disagreements between the two women, but instead on Arthur’s claim that Acton has been dishonest about her background and political opponents.

The criticism is particularly striking because it comes from Acton’s own mother, who said she still loves her daughter while arguing that her alleged dishonesty should disqualify her from holding the governorship.

Arthur’s warning is likely to draw attention because it combines a personal family relationship with a direct political message to voters. Her argument is straightforward: she believes truthfulness is a basic requirement for leadership and says Acton has failed that test.

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