Father featured in Conway ad says he’s insulted by Rand Paul’s reference to ad as ‘creepy’

Father in ad says he’s insulted by Paul response

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky man who recounts his son’s lost battle with drug addiction in a TV commercial for Democrat Jack Conway says he’s insulted by Republican Rand Paul’s reference to the Senate campaign ad as “creepy.”

Mike Donta is shown standing at his son’s grave in the ad. He tells The Associated Press that it’s a shame that Paul attacked him rather than focus on ways to solve Kentucky’s drug problems.

Paul campaign manager Jesse Benton says Paul’s criticism was directed at Conway for politicizing a tragedy. Benton says Paul has deep sympathy for Donta and other families suffering from the drug scourge.

Donta’s son committed suicide in July after fighting an addiction to prescription painkillers for three years.

The Conway ad is airing in eastern Kentucky, a political battleground.