Campaign staff for Democratic nominee Amy Acton confronted a Republican cameraman at a Harrison, Ohio, event after he asked why she has declined debate invitations from Vivek Ramaswamy. Video shows staff moving to shield Acton and insisting on "no photos, no videos" while she walked away without answering on camera. Acton's campaign says she will not platform a candidate who it accuses of spreading falsehoods, while Ramaswamy criticized her refusal and highlighted his substantial fundraising. The incident adds tension as the two candidates head into the Nov. 3 general election.
Acton Campaign Staff Block Cameraman Over Debate Question: 'No Photos, No Videos'
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton speaks at a primary election night campaign event after winning the party's nomination for governor in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Campaign staff for Dr. Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor and former state health director, confronted a Republican cameraman at a campaign event in Harrison, Ohio, last Saturday after he asked why she has declined invitations to debate her Republican challenger, Vivek Ramaswamy.
Video of the exchange shows the cameraman approaching Acton and asking, "Dr. Amy Acton, why do you refuse to debate your opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy?" Several members of Acton's team quickly moved in to shield her, repeatedly telling the interviewer, "No photos, no videos. No pictures, no interviews." The clip captures Acton walking away without answering the question on camera.
Ohio Republican guebenatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a campaign rally on Feb. 25, 2025 at the Glass City Center in Toledo, Ohio.
At one point a staffer appears to bump the cameraman, jostling his equipment; the cameraman asked them to be "careful." Acton's campaign did not respond on the spot to a Fox News Digital request for comment about the interaction.
Campaign Positions and Reactions
Acton's campaign has declined a CNN debate invitation this month after Ramaswamy accepted. In a Sept. 2 statement, a campaign spokesperson said Dr. Acton "is focused 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."
Amy Acton, former director of the Ohio Department of Health and Democratic gubernatorial candidate, meets with local residents while campaigning at Bottoms Up Coffee in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Ramaswamy, who has invested heavily in the race, seized on Acton's refusal to debate in social media posts, saying it was unfortunate that voters would not see Acton take questions or appear on a debate stage. He has injected significant personal funds into his campaign — roughly $25 million of his own money — as part of a larger fundraising haul reported near $50 million.
Broader Campaign Context
The exchange reflects mounting tensions in a heated Ohio gubernatorial contest. Republican attacks on Acton have highlighted her role in the state's COVID-19 response, referenced a 2019 verbal domestic incident in which she was intoxicated, and cited AI-manipulated campaign ads that altered a license plate to read a derogatory message. The rivalry has also touched on questions about Ramaswamy's early handling of Epstein-related files as his campaign began.
Having won the Democratic primary on May 5, 2026, Acton will face Ramaswamy in the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. Both campaigns have continued to hold events across Ohio as the race intensifies.
Key quote from the event: "No photos, no videos. I said — no pictures, no interviews," members of Acton's staff told the cameraman.
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