In the US, a Republican "rented" a family for an election campaign for Congress (3 photos + 1 video)
Derrick Anderson stars in a video with his friend's wife and children. A Republican spokesman said it was a standard photo of the candidate with his supporters of different ages and genders. 
Advertisements featuring candidates' families have long been a staple of the U.S. election campaign. But they have taken on new relevance, especially for vulnerable Republicans, in a year when reproductive rights have become a key issue. The New York Times wrote about childless Republican Derrick Anderson, who is running for Congress in Virginia, and who used a friend's family in his campaign ad. 
Former military Green Beret Anderson appeared in a video with a woman and her three daughters. The video shows scenes of them smiling and chatting at the dinner table.
However, it turned out that this is not his family, but the wife and children of an old friend. Anderson does not have children of his own and recently announced his engagement. His campaign website states that he lives with his dog.
As the NYT notes, this video has not yet been used in advertising. It could be seen on the candidate's official YouTube channel and on a website associated with the Republican National Committee. 
Anderson's representative rejected the media criticism and said the material was "intentionally misleading voters." He said the politician is "happily engaged and very proud of his family." He added that the video showed the candidate with "supporters and their children," and that other candidates have similar footage.
Meanwhile, California Democrat Ted Lieu accused Anderson of trying to deceive voters, and social media began calling the Republican "the man who rented a family."
