The controversial new political advertisement featuring the estranged mother of Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton calling her daughter "a liar" was produced by her Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign team, the GOP nominee's camp confirmed Tuesday night.

Ramaswamy's team has said it plans to spend $4 million to keep distributing the commercial, which first appeared overnight, despite criticism that the ad rehashes Acton's painful childhood, which included facing homelessness and sexual abuse as a child.

Big picture view: Acton and Ramaswamy have been locked in a tight race to replace outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine, with Acton, the state's former public health director, and Ramaswamy, a biotech billionaire and former Republican presidential candidate who has the support of President Donald Trump.