AARP Michigan distanced itself Thursday from what it called a “misleading” political ad from a Democratic group that it said implied the AARP had endorsed Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Elissa Slotkin when it has not.
In a statement, AARP Michigan State Director Paula D. Cunningham said the group was “alarmed and concerned” that a 30-second spot released by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on Wednesday referred to the AARP, which is a nonpartisan organization that does not endorse candidates for public office.
The ad prominently features Eric Schneidewind, whom Cunningham identified as a former AARP Michigan state volunteer leader.
Schneidewind in the ad speaks to the camera and attacks Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers, a former seven-term congressman from White Lake Township, for taking $1 million in contributions from the drug industry and for voting no on measures to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices while he served in the U.S. House.
“While that reference is used only in connection with the speaker’s previous volunteer affiliation with AARP, its inclusion implies our endorsement of the candidate, which is incorrect and misleading. At no point did AARP participate in its production,” Cunningham said in the statement.
“In fact, when AARP’s name is misused by a campaign, we ask that it be taken down. AARP never endorses or gives money to candidates. Ever. Nor do we direct candidates, parties or PACs to use our name in ads, fundraising emails or other campaign efforts. Our non-partisan status matters to us, and it matters to our members.”
AARP Michigan spokeswoman Careena Eggleston said Thursday the group did not ask the DSCC to take down the ad, which is running on TV in Michigan markets, “although we did caution against using AARP in their ads.”
“We are most concerned with protecting our nonpartisan position during elections,” Eggleston said.
The DSCC spot makes no mention of Slotkin, the Democratic nominee for Senate from Holly. A spokesman for the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee didn’t immediately comment Thursday on the AARP criticisms. The Senate campaign committee is chaired by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township.
Rogers’ campaign also slammed the DSCC’s ad this week, which says his wife Kristi’s firm, Principal to Principal, lobbies on behalf of of the drug industry. Rogers called it a “baseless” attack and urged Slotkin to ask the DSCC to take down the ad.
“In Michigan, we discuss the issues that matter to families and work to provide solutions. We don’t attack the family members of our political opponents for political gain,” Rogers tweeted.
“It’s disappointing that Slotkin and her allies would sink to attacking my wife with baseless lies. Slotkin should call on the DSCC to pull down this ad immediately.”
The Slotkin-Rogers matchup in November could be one of the most competitive Senate battles of the fall, rated a tossup by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
Following last week’s primary election, police responded after both Slotkin and Rogers’ family homes were targeted in “swatting” hoaxes, with someone making fake reports to emergency responders.
The practice of “swatting” elected officials has become a growing problem after multiple lawmakers on Capitol Hill and around the country have been victims of the hoax scheme, which typically involves someone phoning in a false call to 911 with the intention of prompting a big response by law enforcement to the home of a high-profile official or celebrity.
This week, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said her home was targeted in two “swatting” calls over a 48-hour period. The Detroit Police Department is investigating.
More: Rogers, Slotkin family homes swatted, sparking bipartisan condemnation
mburke@detroitnews.com
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Publish date : 2024-08-15 04:40:00
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