Republican Rand Paul hit back at Democrat Jack Conway Monday, accusing his opponent in the race for Kentucky’s Senate seat of “bearing false witness.”
The biblical reference comes in response to an ad from Conway in which he questioned Paul’s faith and character. The fallout of the spot has recently dominated the hotly contested race and a debate between the two men on Sunday.
Paul stormed off the stage in Louisville without shacking Conway’s hand, but not after chastising the Democrat for bringing his faith into the campaign.
“I will not shake hands with someone who attacks my religion and attacks my Christian beliefs,” Paul said.
On Monday, the GOP candidate launched an ad of his own that calls Conway’s attack “desperate” and “disgraceful.”
Conway’s ad accused Paul of being involved with an allegedly anti-Christian group in college. The ad also says Paul tied a woman up and made her kneel before an “Aqua Buddha.”
Paul’s spokesperson Gary Howard said the Tea Party favorite is calling for Conway to apologize for the remarks and that Paul is considering not participating in the campaign’s last scheduled debate, currently slated for Oct. 25, eight days before the election. Howard said Paul has not yet decided whether he will or will not participate in the last debate.