Democrats are gambling with new styles of campaign ads, but not that feature themselves, NYT reports. The new campaign ads are showcasing far-right candidates in this year’s primaries and midterm elections.
One ad for example in Pennsylvania was paid for by Democrat Josh Shapiro, who will now be running against Doug Mastriano in November. The ad ran during the primary elections during which Pennsylvania Republicans were choosing their candidate for the governor race.
But this ad is not a typical attack ad. While it is framed as a negative ad, it does little to turn Republican primary voters against Mastriano. Instead, the ad actually is coming across more like a list of accomplishments.
Democrats have embraced a strategy that aims to elevate far-right candidates like Mastriano in the primaries, believing they will be easier to defeat in the general election than moderate Republicans.
The ad says Mastriano wants to outlaw abortion, and that he “led the fight to audit the 2020 election.” it does not mention he was also at the January 6 insurrection on the Capitol, because that message could turn off moderate Republican voters.
“If Doug Mastriano wins, it’s a win for what Donald Trump stands for,” the ad said.
In fact, a “win for Donald Trump” is exactly what many Republican voters do want in Pennsylvania. Mastriano won the Republican primary race for governor in the state in May, and in November, will face off against Shapiro.
Shapiro is currently ahead in the polls for governor, but only 5.2 percent points ahead of Mastriano.
This was not the only far-right candidate that Democrats are throwing ads behind in order to elevate this midterm primary season.
Experts have identified a series of ads that fit similar patterns and focus on far-right candidates who might otherwise be obscure. They are paid for by Democratic PACs and use careful wording that could come across as negative to Democrats but positive to Republicans.
For example, a candidate is “too conservative” for voters.
Nearly $44 million has been spent across five states by Democrats in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, runnings ads about at least seven far-right candidates who they say will be easier to beat in November than moderates.
Because of the current political climate and the far-right views of candidates, critics say this strategy is a dangerous gamble. It could not only lift up the far-right candidates but also push out any moderates.
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