The campaign of attorney Sharen Neuhardt (D-Yellow Springs) is blasting state Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) for launching what they called a "cowardly attack" on a Rwandan genocide refugee, who has been living with the Neuhardt family since 2002.

At issue are comments made by Austria campaign manager Brad Mascho, who told Cox News, "harboring an illegal immigrant with a criminal record is a serious matter."

The Rwanden, Ishema Umuhoza, is 26 and has had one application for political asylum denied. Neuhardt and her husband are both attorneys and are appealing the denial in federal court.

The Neuhardt campaign said that Umohoza is living in the U.S. legally as he waits for courts to review his asylum application.

"Steve Austria knows his campaign is desperate and he will do or say anything to get elected, including cowardly personal attacks. He's stooped so low as to attack Sharen's family for standing up and doing what's right," said Neuhardt spokesperson Jessica Kershaw. "Austria's errand boys pushed this cowardly attack and in doing so are attempting to make a victim of the Rwandan tragedy a victim again."

The Neuhardt camp said that Austria launched "the lowest blow on a political campaign by cowardly attacking a survivor of the Rwandan genocide for political gain."

"This smear attempt is telling of Steve Austria's true character," said Kershaw. "It is the worst kind of political mudslinging and is reminiscent of the smears John McCain endured in 2000."

Umuhoza was first brought to the Neuhardt household in 2002 by Neuhardt's daughter, Ann. The Neuhardt family invited him to stay after finding out he had nowhere else to go. Umuhoza graduated from University of Dayton in 2005.

The Austria campaign has not yet responded to request for comment.