A Democratic nonprofit and one of the nation’s largest labor unions have partnered up to launch a new ad campaign targeting Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), accusing him of conflicts of interest while serving in Congress.
{mosads}Majority Forward, affiliated with Senate Majority PAC, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), unveiled an ad titled “Long Enough,” which is part of a $1.3 million ad buy.
Blunt faces a tough reelection race against Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander (D).
The 30-second spot points to the bill that created the Department of Homeland Security after 9/11 and notes that Blunt tried to add a provision related to a tobacco company that employed two of his family members as lobbyists. The ad goes on to say that the GOP senator received campaign contributions of $23,000 in total from more than two dozen Philip Morris executives.
“After 20 years in Washington, Roy Blunt has turned into the poster child for conflicts of interest and influence peddling in Congress,” Majority Forward spokesman Shripal Shah said. “It’s clear that for Roy Blunt, lobbyists and special interests that bankroll his campaigns come first.”
As Democrats seek to expand the Senate map, they’ve set their eyes on the reliably red state’s race.
Kander has proven to be a good fundraiser and recently released an ad that caught national attention where he assembled a gun blindfolded to push back on criticism that he’s against the Second Amendment while also acknowledging his support for background checks for gun purchasers.
Blunt has led most polls, but a RealClearPolitics polling average has him up by less than 4 points. Kander narrowly led a recent Emerson College Survey by 2 points.