The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee weighed in on Ohio's 7th Congressional District race Wednesday afternoon by calling the latest hits from its counterpart, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and the campaign of state Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) "shameful."

DCCC spokesperson Ryan Rudominer commented on the NRCC and Austria's hitting attorney Sharen Neuhardt (D-Yellow Springs) for "harboring an illegal immigrant."

"Steve Austria smearing Sharen's family for helping a Rwandan refugee who escaped a mass genocide is one of the most shameful and despicable moves made in any race this cycle," Rudominer said. "Clearly, Steve Austria spit on John McCain and Sarah Palin's request to keep a candidate's family off limits.

"During these tough economic times, this transparent and sickening attempt by Steve Austria to distract voters from his abysmal record as a career politician where he voted for the largest tax increase in Ohio history is completely desperate and pathetic.

"This November, not only will Austria's failures as a career politician and his partnership with Bob Taft be on the minds of voters but so will his questionable character."