Republican candidates are facing backlash over a string of ugly scandals just before the midterms, which is bad news for the party's chances.

• A Republican gubernatorial candidate in Ohio ran an attack ad featuring his opponent's mother calling her daughter a liar, even though the mother had sided with her own husband after he was indicted for raping her daughter as a child.
• Trump publicly defended the ad and refused to back down even after being told the full backstory.
• Court records also show the mother featured in the ad left kittens to die in an overheated car, adding another disturbing layer to the story.
• Republican messaging this election cycle has also leaned into attacking rape victims and defending the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, drawing sharp criticism from commentators like Candace Owens.
• A separate investigation this week raised new allegations involving Senator Lindsey Graham and a 17-year-old, adding to the party's woes.

Outlook: The scandals are expected to be a major factor in the upcoming Ohio governor's race and other midterm contests, with results awaited on election night.