There is a new twist in the contentious race for the city council ward 5 position.

A new campaign ad was sent by city council candidate Ryan Nance, but people in ward 5 are wondering how it got to their cell phones.

Voters in the ward say they received the text message last week. The message says, “News Flash- Bruce Freeman Sex Scandal Released."

Nance says he created the ad after he was approached by voter concerned with Freeman's past. Nance tells 23ABC the text message was sent by obtaining public political data from registered voters.

In the ad, Nance claims Freeman would be liability to the city of Bakersfield. He points out that Freeman was sued by employees in the past, alleging sexual harassment and weight discrimination.

This ad comes just two weeks after the district attorney's office looked into allegations, made by Nance, suggesting that Freeman committed voter fraud, tax fraud and perjury.

The D.A.’S office found no evidence to warrant a closer investigation.