A recent wave of attack ads targeting Democratic U.S. Senate candidates aims to raise doubts about their support for one of President Biden’s main legislative achievements. AFP Action, a prominent pro-GOP super PAC, is launching a $10 million television and digital ad campaign against Democratic senators Jon Tester of Montana, Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Rep. Elisa Slotkin of Michigan. Tester and Brown are considered the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents, while the others are facing competitive races despite polling showing them ahead.
The ads primarily criticize the candidates for backing the Inflation Reduction Act, a $1.2 trillion piece of legislation passed in 2022. AFP Action argues that the act has led to increased prices, costing the average American family an additional $1,000 per month. For example, the ad targeting Casey accuses him of voting for Mr. Biden’s priorities almost exclusively and contributing to inflation-driven price hikes. It encourages viewers to support Dave McCormick, his Republican opponent. However, Casey defends the legislation, citing reduced health-care costs for Pennsylvanians as a benefit of the act.
In Brown’s case, the ad highlights his long tenure in public office and suggests that his vote for the Inflation Reduction Act resulted in higher inflation, causing Ohio families to pay nearly $1,000 more monthly for essential items. The ad promotes Brown’s GOP challenger, Bernie Moreno. Brown has defended his vote, emphasizing that the measure has saved his constituents money on health care and energy expenses and expects the federal investment in Ohio to create new jobs. AFP Action Director Nathan Nascimento criticizes Democratic senators for supporting the Biden-Harris administration’s agenda and now seeking a “do-over.”
AFP Action, the political arm of Americans for Prosperity, has been active in more than 500 federal contests this year. The organization previously backed former governor Nikki Haley’s presidential bid but shifted its focus to congressional races. The current ad campaign is just a portion of the millions of dollars expected to be spent by various super PACs supporting Democratic and Republican candidates. Ad time was secured at lower rates in the spring in anticipation of a heavily saturated political ad market leading up to the election.
CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O’Keefe reports on the recent attack ad campaign aimed at Democratic U.S. Senate candidates. Against the backdrop of competitive races and the ongoing debate over the Inflation Reduction Act, the ads seek to sway voters by raising concerns about the candidates’ support for President Biden’s legislative priorities. As outside spending ramps up in various races across the country, these ads are part of a larger effort to influence the outcome of key battleground races in November.
