Iowa Republican Slams Rival's Ad Featuring Opponent's Estranged Mother

Iowa Republican Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson has strongly criticized a controversial campaign ad from Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that features the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. The ad includes Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, making accusations about her daughter's past.

Hinson, speaking in an exclusive interview with ABC News' Jonathan Karl for "This Week," described the ad as "absolutely terrible," particularly from a mother's perspective. "I think about it as a mom and you think about your kids surviving childhood sexual abuse and having to relive that trauma on TV again," Hinson stated. "I think it's absolutely terrible, and I think they should take the ad down."

Acton has previously spoken publicly about her difficult relationship with her mother, with whom she has had no contact since she was 12 years old. Acton has also alleged that her mother's second husband sexually abused her between the ages of 9 and 12, and she testified against him after charges were filed.

Hinson also sharply disagreed with President Donald Trump's defense of the ad. Hours before they were scheduled to appear at a rally together in Iowa, Trump posted on his social media platform that Ramaswamy "should keep it up" and stated he would also use such an ad.

"It's ridiculous. It's absolutely the wrong tone," Hinson said of Trump's comments. "It sends absolutely the wrong message." She added that candidates should aim to be empathetic leaders and that forcing an opponent to "relive the childhood trauma" is wrong.

Trump, speaking to reporters before departing for Iowa, dismissed Hinson's criticism as "her opinion" and questioned why a mother's statements about her daughter should be shielded. He also criticized Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who had called the ad "deeply, deeply troubling" and urged Ramaswamy to remove it.

The ad surfaced late Monday, two weeks before the midterm elections. Ramaswamy is running for governor in Ohio, while Hinson is seeking a U.S. Senate seat in Iowa. Trump, who endorsed Hinson in the past, is campaigning in Iowa to support Republican candidates in the final stretch of the election cycle.