Ramaswamy releases controversial ad

Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released an attack ad featuring Democratic opponent Amy Acton's estranged mother saying she has lied her entire life.

“She's lied her entire life”

The ad omits a crucial detail

The ad does not mention that Acton alleged she was raped by her stepfather, Cledith Arthur, forty years ago when she was twelve years old.

Acton's family responds

Acton's brother said turning alleged sexual assault into a political talking point was a despicable low. Experts told the BBC the attack will likely backfire.

The estrangement dates to 1978

Acton and her brother were removed from their mother's custody when Cledith Arthur was arrested and charged in nineteen seventy-eight. He was never prosecuted and died in two thousand four.

Political attacks have grown coarser

David Lublin, a professor from American University's School of Public Affairs, said attack ads have become more intense and boundaries have stretched about what one attacks.

“They have become more intense, and the boundaries have stretched in terms of what one attacks about”

Ramaswamy pledges four million dollars

Ramaswamy confirmed the ad came from his campaign on Tuesday and pledged to spend four million dollars to further air it, drawing intense backlash from Democrats.

Race moves to toss up status

Cook Political Report moved the Ohio governor's race from leans Republican to toss up. Lublin expects the attack ad to backfire and signal Ramaswamy's campaign is desperate.