INDIANAPOLIS -- The gubernatorial campaign of U.S. Senator Mike Braun, R-Ind. has come under fire after a newly released political advertisement attacking his opponent's record initially contained digitally altered material without publicly disclosing its alteration, despite being required under a new state law. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed House Enrolled Act 1133, a bill surrounding the use of digitally altered media in elections, into law in mid-March. New Poll: McCormick within ‘striking distance’ before November election Under the new law, it requires campaign advertisements that include digitally altered media to include a disclaimer. If not, the candidate the advertisement is against is able to file a civil action. Braun will face Jennifer McCormick in Indiana's governor race in November's general election. McCormick, the Democratic candidate, is the state's former state superintendent of public instruction. The original version of the political advertisement, centering around McCormick's "hopelessly liberal agenda," aired several times on FOX59 Monday morning, can be seen in the video player below. Featured in the ad is a brief shot of McCormick standing before several "No Gas Stoves!" signs. But these signs did not exist — at least not with that message. Screengrab from Braun's initial ad featuring the doctored portion when it aired on the FOX59 Morning News on Sept. 30. In reality, Braun's campaign altered an image taken by the South Bend Tribune from a McCormick campaign kick-off in May 2023. The original image, shown below, shows McCormick standing in front of a group holding signs that display her name. Original photo from the South Bend Tribune from the event that Braun's campaign digitally doctored. Provided by the South Bend Tribute - initially taken by Greg Swiercz Since the advertisement was released on Monday morning, officials with Braun's campaign said in a statement to FOX59/CBS4 that the initial version was "mistakenly delivered to TV stations and is being replaced with the correct version. To watch the newly released version of the advertisement, which was sent to FOX59/CBS4 at around 1:18 p.m. on Monday, click here. Emerson College Poll: Braun leads in Indiana governor’s race In the updated advertisement, released Monday afternoon by the Braun campaign, it continued to feature the doctored image, with this disclaimer at the bottom of the advertisement: "Elements of this media have been digitally altered or artificially generated" Screengrab from Braun's updated ad, which adds the disclaimer surrounding the doctored portion of the political advertisement. Provided by the Braun campaign. This was in response to the passage of HEA 1133 in March, which requires certain election campaign communications that include digitally altered media to include a disclaimer. The bill defines fabricated media as an audio or visual recording of a person's speech, appearance, or conduct that has been altered without the individual's consent. The bill also identifies artificially generated media as audio or visual imitation of an individual that was created without the person's consent, is sufficiently lifelike that a person would not be able to distinguish it from the real person and/or is used to "convey a fictional depiction of the individual's speech, appearance or conduct." HB1133.06.ENRS_Download The bill allows a candidate depicted in fabricated media that did not include a required disclaimer to bring a civil action against specified persons. The bipartisan bill was first introduced in January and was written by Indiana State Rep. Julie Olthoff, District 19. According to a news release from Braun's campaign, the ad highlights McCormick's support for Democratic political figures, including current President Joe Biden and current Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, and their "hopelessly liberal agenda for Hoosiers." ‘On the trail’ with the candidates for governor Braun's campaign claims that the liberal policies have "cost Hoosier families thousands in runaway inflation." The release also states that McCormick "touted on her website that Indiana should join the United States Climate Alliance, which has called for banning gas stoves." “The hopelessly liberal ads are in compliance with HEA 1133. An earlier version was mistakenly delivered to TV stations and is being replaced with the correct version," Josh Kelly, a senior advisor for Braun's campaign, said in a statement to FOX59/CBS4. "Mike Braun is the first candidate to comply with this new law, which requires a disclaimer for any alteration from an original image, even though his opponent has altered his appearance in her paid advertisements without a disclaimer." McCormick commented on the advertisement in a post on social media, stating: "Yes. I’ve seen the ad. No. I don’t care what type of stove you use. I am focusing on real issues like women’s reproductive freedoms, education and good-paying jobs. My opponent is apparently focused on stoves. See you on the debate stage. Enough nonsense! Let’s go!" Election 2024: Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District race In a news release from the campaign, McCormick's team said that the advertisement raised legal concerns. “Braun’s team is so desperate to distract voters that they’ve stooped to using heavily doctored images. Disclaimer or not, it’s just dishonest,” Kelly Wittman, McCormick's campaign manager said in the release. “Indiana has a law in place for a reason–Hoosiers deserve the truth, not deep fakes and dishonesty. “Mike Braun has repeatedly shown he’s willing to game the system, and now he may have again broken election laws. Hoosiers deserve better than a governor who plays fast and loose with the law,” Wittman continued. “Voters deserve leaders who stand for honesty and accountability - traits Braun lacks... Mike Braun has already lied to win an election. Hoosiers won’t let it distract them from the truth about Mike Braun." In a post on social media from the Indiana Democratic Party, they said the following about the advertisement: "Mike Braun won't tell the truth or follow the law. This ad lies about (McCormick's) record and distorts an image from her rally in what could be a violation of a new state law. Hoosiers deserve better than Braun's lazy lies." In a statement from Libertarian candidate Donald Rainwater on social media, he said: "If a political candidate will allow his or her campaign to produce a commercial that contains information that they know is false in order to manipulate voters, doesn't that just mean they are dishonest human beings who will lie to anyone to get what they want? Is that really the kind of person you want representing you and safeguarding your rights as Indiana Governor? Disclaimer or not, a lie is a lie. Deceit is deceit. A lack of integrity is a lack of integrity. It doesn't matter who perpetrates the lie. If they will do it to get elected, they will do it after they get elected. Why would you vote for someone you shouldn't trust to tell you the truth?" According to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, Hoosiers are able to register to vote for the 2024 General Election through Oct. 7. For more information on how Indiana residents are able to register to vote, click here.