Today, the Ed Gillespie campaign a launched a blatantly misleading ad in the vein of the infamous “Willie Horton” attack ad, which was later disavowed by its creator on his deathbed for its racism. The ad deliberately conflates the facts and misinforms the public about the lieutenant governor’s commitment to public safety.

For Immediate Release
Date: September 20, 2017
Contact: Ofirah Yheskel, ofirah@ralphnortham.com

STATEMENT: Desperate Ed Gillespie Launches Disgusting Smear Campaign Against Northam

Richmond, Va. — Today, the Ed Gillespie campaign a launched a blatantly misleading ad in the vein of the infamous “Willie Horton” attack ad, which was later disavowed by its creator on his deathbed for its racism. The ad deliberately conflates the facts and misinforms the public about the lieutenant governor’s commitment to public safety.

Northam for Governor communications director, David Turner, issued the following statement in response to the ad:

“Ed Gillespie’s new ad is desperate, despicable, and just not true. Ralph Northam doesn’t care what your immigration status is, if you commit a violent crime, you’re going to prison. Ed Gillespie wants to cut resources available to law enforcement in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.

“A career political hatchet man, Ed is taking a page out of the Trump playbook: butchering the facts to try and frighten the voters. It is a sad display of disrespect for the voters of Virginia to engage in hysterical fearmongering. He doesn’t understand Virginians – they care about the truth, even if he doesn’t.

“Finally, let’s be clear: this is what desperation looks like. This is the move of a desperate man — Ed Gillespie is tangled in a web of uninspiring poll numbers, lackluster fundraising reports, depleted cash on hand, and a disastrous debate performance and has decided race baiting is his last stand.”