WASHINGTON — The openly gay son of Republican congressional challenger Nan Hayworth says his mother — who’s trying to unseat New York’s only openly gay congressman — is “no extremist” in a new ad.

CNN reports that the ad is an attempt to insulate Hayworth against Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney’s criticism of her stance on social issues like same-sex marriage, which she’s said the federal government shouldn’t mandate nationwide.

“As a gay man, coming to terms with who I am wasn’t easy,” Hayworth’s son Will says in the ad. “But my parents love me for who I am and for whom I love. So when I hear vicious negative attacks against Nan Hayworth, I have to speak out.”

“Nan Hayworth is no extremist,” he says. “She’s my mom. She’s kind. She’s compassionate. She’s always been there for me. And she’ll always be there for you.”

Watch:

The race is an attempt at a comeback for Hayworth previously won the Hudson Valley seat in 2010 before being ousted by Maloney in 2012.