Dem handlers lash out when Ramaswamy staffer confronts their boss about debate: ‘No pictures’

Campaign personnel for Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton reportedly confronted a Republican activist last Saturday, September 12, 2026, during an event in Harrison, Ohio. The confrontation occurred when the activist, who was filming, approached Acton and questioned her refusal to participate in a debate with her Republican challenger, Vivek Ramaswamy.

Video footage from the incident shows Acton walking away from the interviewer as her staff moved to block the activist. The staff repeatedly stated, “No photos, no videos,” and “I said — no pictures, no interviews.” At one point, Acton’s staff appeared to bump the cameraman’s arm, causing his camera to move out of frame. The activist asked them to be careful.

Acton herself did not respond to the questions about the debate. This interaction comes as Ramaswamy’s campaign has criticized Acton for not agreeing to a debate as the general election approaches. The election is scheduled for November 3.

Earlier in September, Acton’s campaign stated she would not accept a debate invitation from CNN, citing Ramaswamy’s campaign tactics. A spokesperson for Acton’s campaign said on September 2, “Dr. Acton’s focus is on talking with Ohioans, not platforming a scam artist who spreads baseless lies about her and her family, uses AI to falsely paint her as someone with a substance abuse problem, and shames Dr. Acton for being sexually abused as a child while Vivek stands with predators and abusers.”

Ramaswamy has responded to Acton’s debate refusal by questioning her qualifications to lead the state. In a social media post, he stated, “It’s too bad for Ohio voters that Acton won’t take voter questions, won’t debate, quit after failing as Ohio’s health director, and has some serious issues now surfaced in multiple police reports.”

Acton, the former Ohio health director, cleared the Democratic primary and will face Ramaswamy in the general election.