Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign for Ohio governor has stopped airing an attack ad, The Guardian, NBC News and the Washington Examiner report. The ad features the estranged mother of his Democratic rival, Amy Acton.

In the ad, Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, calls her daughter a liar, The Guardian and NBC News report. Acton has said she has not seen her mother since her then-stepfather was charged with raping her as a child nearly 50 years ago, NBC News reports. The ad did not mention the rape case, the outlets report.

"It ran to completion and we put up four other ads," Ramaswamy said at a campaign stop, The Guardian and NBC News report. The Guardian says he spoke in Vandalia, Ohio. NBC News says the Columbus Dispatch first reported that the ad was ending its run. The campaign had said it would spend $4 million to air the ad, which was cut from 60 seconds to 30, the outlets report.

Democrats and Republicans criticized the ad, the outlets report. Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican who endorsed Ramaswamy, called on him to take it down, NBC News reports. President Donald Trump defended the ad at a rally with Ramaswamy, The Guardian and the Washington Examiner report.

"My opponent has now chosen to exploit my childhood intentionally," Acton said to supporters, The Guardian reports. An Acton spokesperson called the ad "despicable" and said Ramaswamy pulled it "without even the hint of an apology," NBC News reports.

What we know: Ramaswamy's campaign has stopped airing the ad featuring Acton's mother.
What we don't: Whether the controversy will change the outcome of the Ohio governor's race.