Epstein Links Emerge as a Political Attack Line in Key Midterm Races
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Several Democratic candidates are running advertisements linking Republican opponents to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in competitive midterm races. Campaigns in Ohio, Maine, and Georgia are deploying the messaging, with one ad in New Mexico being labeled false by a local news outlet. The tactic appears to be part of a broader strategy to frame opponents as part of a corrupt elite.
Facts First
- Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown has spent nearly $1.5 million on ads attacking Sen. Jon Husted for accepting donations from Leslie Wexner, a financial client of Epstein.
- The Husted campaign says it donated all available funds from Wexner to an anti-human trafficking charity and notes Brown previously accepted donations from Wexner's wife.
- Democratic candidates in Maine and Georgia are using similar anti-Epstein messaging, with ads targeting Sen. Susan Collins and labeling the Trump administration as 'the Epstein class.'
- An ad in the New Mexico gubernatorial race linking Deb Haaland to Epstein was reported by a local news station as 'false' and 'misleading.'
- Ads mentioning Epstein have also aired in Wisconsin, Tennessee, and New Mexico to support anti-Washington arguments.
What Happened
In the Ohio Senate race, Democrat Sherrod Brown has spent nearly $1.5 million on television ads attacking Republican Sen. Jon Husted for previously accepting donations from Leslie Wexner, a financial client of Jeffrey Epstein. According to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact, the only two ads Brown has aired this year have attacked Husted regarding Epstein. Amy Natoce, a spokesperson for Husted, told Axios that the Husted campaign has 'donated all available funds' from Wexner to an anti-human trafficking charity. The Husted campaign stated that Brown previously accepted donations from Wexner's wife.
In the Maine Senate race, presumptive Democratic nominee Graham Platner is using anti-Epstein messaging in a six-figure television ad to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Platner's advertisement features old video of Epstein and Donald Trump while accusing Collins of selling out voters to 'the president and to the Epstein class.' In the Georgia Senate race, Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) has stated... that the Trump administration is composed of 'the Epstein class.'
Democrats and their allies in Wisconsin, Tennessee, and New Mexico have aired ads linking rivals to Epstein or mentioning him to support anti-Washington arguments. In the New Mexico gubernatorial election, an outside group ran negative advertisements linking former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (D) to Epstein. Former Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Haaland's Democratic opponent, stated in an advertisement, 'Unlike others, I'm not in the Epstein files.' Haaland aired a six-figure advertisement calling her opponents' claims 'lies.' A local news station reported that the advertisement from the outside group was 'false' and 'misleading.'
Why this Matters to You
Political advertising shapes the choices you have at the ballot box. The focus on the Epstein scandal in these ads may influence your perception of candidates' character and associations. For voters in Ohio, Maine, Georgia, and other states with similar ads, this messaging could become a central point of debate, potentially overshadowing discussions of policy on issues like the economy or healthcare. The strategy also highlights a continued effort by some campaigns to tie opponents to broader narratives of corruption, which may affect how you evaluate their trustworthiness.
What's Next
You can expect to see more political advertisements invoking the Epstein scandal as the midterm elections approach, particularly in close races. The effectiveness of this line of attack may be tested, especially after one ad was publicly labeled as false. Campaigns targeted by these ads are likely to continue responding with denials and counter-accusations, as seen in Ohio and New Mexico. The tactic's prominence suggests it could become a recurring feature in this election cycle, potentially influencing undecided voters in key battleground states.