India, Oct. 21 -- A major row has erupted in the race for the next Ohio governor after Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released an advert targeting Democrat opponent Amy Acton.

The advert featured Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who attacked the 60-year-old Democrat candidate as a "liar." The advertisement sparked a row in the Ohio gubernatorial race as Ramaswamy faced criticism for bringing up a highly personal issue in an election advert. The campaign has since released a statement explaining their stance.

Amy Acton and her brother Philip Stearns were separated from Donna Arthur after Amy Acton alleged that their stepfather, Cledith Arthur raped her when she was 12.

In the 60-second ad, Acton's estranged mother says,...