Conservative group launches $1.5M campaign to defend Kavanaugh

by Jordan Fabian - 09/17/18 12:00 PM ET

A conservative group plans to launch a new ad campaign to defend Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh from allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman while in high school.

{mosads}The Judicial Crisis Network said it will put $1.5 million behind a television ad blitz that features a person who has been friends with Kavanaugh for 35 years.

“We are not going to allow a last-minute smear campaign destroy a good and decent man who has an unblemished personal record,” said a spokeswoman for the group.

The ad, released later Monday, features Louisa Garry, a teacher at a Long Island prep school who testified in support of Kavanaugh during hearings earlier this month.

Garry describes herself as a teacher and a coach who is “not involved in politics.” She goes on to praise Kavanaugh as “curious, open-minded, thoughtful,” and a person of integrity.

The Judicial Crisis Network has already pledged to spend $5 million backing Kavanaugh.

The latest blitz comes as Kavanaugh’s nomination has been thrown into peril by the sexual misconduct allegations, which took on new life Sunday when the accuser came forward.

Christine Blasey Ford, a California-based academic, said Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed and tried to pull off her clothes during a party in the 1980s, when they both were in high school. She also said Kavanaugh covered her mouth when she tried to scream for help.

Kavanaugh called the allegations “completely false” in a statement on Monday and said he is willing to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Ford would also testify before the panel, according to her attorney.

Several senators have said they want to put the nomination process on hold in order to sort through the allegations. The Judiciary panel has been planning to vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination on Thursday.

Tags Brett Kavanaugh Judicial Crisis Network Supreme Court