Rhetorical Rages

A clean up on aisle New Jersey, and dueling attack ads in Maryland: Let's take a look at the three ads from the past week that stood out to us.

This Week's Featured Ad

Andy Kim Wants to Clean Up the Senate

The Context: End Citizens United will launch a five-figure ad in support of Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ 03). The spot, titled “Clean Up,” features a photo of Kim cleaning the Capitol after the Jan. 6 insurrection and states that Kim will strengthen campaign finance laws, protect voting rights, and stop stock trading in Congress. “Insiders and billionaires may not like it, but Andy Kim’s going to the Senate with vision and integrity,” the narrator says. “And he’s bringing a broom.”

Hotline Analysis: Kim is running to replace embattled Sen. Bob Menendez (D). While Menendez is fighting his legal battles, Kim is selling himself as the best option for New Jersey. Kim has a long list of endorsements and had led his potential Republican opponents in all recent polling. — Hannah Thacker

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MD- 03| Sarah Elfreth (D)

Sarah Elfreth Takes Aim at Harry Dunn

State Sen. Sarah Elfreth (D) released a spot touting her record and sporting endorsements from teachers, unions, and conservationists. She takes a dig at former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn (D) and says, “We need a fighter from this community.” Dunn does not live in the district.

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MD- 03| Harry Dunn (D)

Harry Dunn Takes a Swipe at Sarah Elfreth

Dunn’s fifth TV spot, titled “Choice,” goes after Elfreth’s support from pro-Israel AIPAC and criticizes her voting record in the state Legislature, such as “voting 44 times with Republicans."

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Trends to Watch

Going Negative

Races across the country are heating up. Recently, more candidates are starting to go negative on their opponents, in both primaries and general elections. As many primaries are coming down to the wire, expect to see more attack ads that don't dance around the point. This can best be seen in the dueling Maryland-03 attack ads. In Dunn's latest, he spends all 32 seconds listing off all the reasons he thinks voters shouldn't go with Elfreth in the upcoming primary. — Hannah Thacker

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