Democrat Amy Acton has won Ohio’s race for governor , defeating Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, NBC News projects.

The race became hostile in its closing days after Ramaswamy’s campaign produced and aired an attack ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother.

Acton, 60, is the first woman to be elected governor of the state. Former Lt. Gov. Nancy Hollister served as governor for 11 days in 1999 after Republican Gov. George Voinovich moved on to the Senate.

She is also the first Democrat to win Ohio’s governorship since Ted Strickland won a single four-year term in 2006.…