The attack ad that may have 'backfired spectacularly' in a major US election race

Key points

• Forecasters now favour Democrat Amy Acton to win the Ohio governor's race after days of backlash over an attack ad. The ad, paid for by Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign, features Acton's estranged mother calling her a liar.
• Acton, who says her stepfather abused her as a child, called the ad despicable. Several Republicans, including Ohio governor Mike DeWine, have condemned it, while President Donald Trump and JD Vance have defended it.
• Recent polling shows Acton leading, though some analysts expect a close race.