Republicans are accused of once again using dirty tricks to put their thumbs on the electoral scales so voters will select a candidate they perceive as easier to defeat.
“The Republican Governors Association is set to spend nearly $2.2 million in the weeks leading up to the gubernatorial primary boosting footage of democratic socialist candidate Francesca Hong pledging to bring Wisconsin ‘back to our progressive roots,’” reported the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jessie Opoien on Thursday. In a piece with the headline "Republican group plans ad blitz highlighting Hong; Dems smell a rat," Opoien focused on a spot focused on Hong’s support of legislation to ban ICE from Wisconsin, provide legal aid for immigrants threatened with deportation and mandating that police identify themselves during arrests. Additionally it showed footage of her appearing on the podcast of Hasan Piker, who has been accused of anti-Semitism and allegedly detained by the government for his anti-Trump views.
The ad, which highlights Hong's support for legislation that would ban state and local government officials from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, describes Hong as "too liberal for Wisconsin" as she and four other Democrats compete for the party's gubernatorial nomination. It was aired by Right Direction PAC and, according to critics, is actually intended to help Hong get the nomination by galvanizing voters in her direction.
“Democratic observers say the buy is an effort to prop up Hong ahead of the Aug. 11 primary so she'll be the candidate Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany faces in November,” Opoien reported. “Politico reported last month that GOP-aligned groups spent more than $4.3 million in recent Democratic primary races in Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nebraska and Maine in hopes of boosting candidates viewed as less viable in a general election.”
Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki told Opoien that "Tom Tiffany and his allies know they can't defend their failed agenda that's jacking up costs for Wisconsin families. So rather than even try they're resorting to trying to pick an opponent they think they can beat. It's pathetic and entire predictable.”
He added, "Every Democratic campaign for governor – including Hong's – should call this out for what it is: a sneaky, underhanded, blatant attempt to meddle in the democratic process.”
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel characterized the race as led by Hong and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, although the current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez had also gained momentum until she announced Sunday that she had to let go of her campaign manager because her campaign faced a financial crisis.
"Right as the GOP gets confirmation that this is a two person race, they decided to meddle to pick the candidate Tom Tiffany wants to face in November," Barnes campaign manager Darby O'Connor argued in a statement. "This race should be decided by Wisconsin voters, not billionaire MAGA donors."
This is not the first time right-wing dark money has allegedly attempted to influence Democratic primaries in key races. Back in May, a reportedly right-wing group misleadingly called “Lead Left” pumped money into a Pennsylvania congressional race in an ultimately-unsuccessful effort to defeat that race’s frontrunner, erstwhile firefighter Bob Brooks, in favor of former Northampton County Commissioner Lamont McClure.
“By now, you may have seen television ads running paid for by a PAC called Lead Left,” McClure told AlterNet. “I want to be clear. I'm running my own campaign and I've never heard of Lead Left before today. Our political system is broken and we have to put an end to all of the dark money being spent on our campaigns. I hope all of the candidates will join me in calling for the immediate cessation of dark money SuperPAC spending on all of our campaigns.”
He added, “Throughout this campaign at every forum and debate we've had, I have called for a Constitutional Amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's disastrous decision in Citizens United. I renew that commitment today.”
Brooks similarly condemned the spot.
“Republicans are targeting me because I’m the candidate they fear the most,” Brooks said to AlterNet. “They don’t want to face me in November because they know this firefighter will smoke Ryan Mackenzie, flip this seat, and stop Donald Trump’s cruel agenda.”
He continued, “This is exactly what’s wrong with our broken and corrupt political system. A MAGA super PAC can parachute in at the final hour and spend millions of dollars in Republican dark money to spread lies about me and my record of service to the Lehigh Valley.”