With the election still eight months away, little-known Conner Eldridge, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican John Boozman, perhaps should be proud that a Republican-financed Super PAC is already going on air with TV ads to trash him.
Marci Manley of KARK reports that this TV ad, which you can watch here, will begin airing tomorrow.
You have to listen and read carefully, but a quickie obligatory announcement says it is paid for by America Ascendant. That’s a Republican Super PAC which, according to Open Secrets, has received $250,000 this cycle from Stephens Inc., the Little Rock investment house whose CEO, Warren Stephens, has been a major contributor to Republican political causes.
“Spent 5 years working for Obama”? Eldridge was a U.S. attorney. Throw in some amnesty for illegals and some mention of Obamacare and you have a formula that has worked quite well in Arkansas in the last couple of elections. No point changing horses.
America Ascendant so far has only one contribution on record, that of Stephens Inc. But its expenditures indicate ties, through payments, to America Rising. It was founded by Mitt Romney’s campaign manager to provide opposition material against Democratic candidates.
Eldridge, meanwhile, had this to say about Boozman today:
Former prosecutor and U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge, who is running for the U.S. Senate, today released the following statement criticizing Senator John Boozman on voting against the Violence Against Women Act and its reauthorization. Today marks three years since the Violence Against Women Act was last reauthorized by Congress in 2013.
Statement Conner Eldridge:
“Today marks three years since Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – landmark legislation that is helping Arkansas fight the scourge of violence against women, particularly domestic violence. As a prosecutor, I’ve seen VAWA make a difference in the lives of women and girls by ensuring an aggressive response to domestic violence and human trafficking, providing assistance to victims, and working to enhance efforts to prevent and prosecute these horrible crimes.
“Senator John Boozman voted not once, but twice against the Violence Against Women Act. This is yet another example of how Washington has changed Senator Boozman and how he’s ignoring the voices and values of Arkansans. Given his consistent opposition to the Violence Against Women Act and Sen. Boozman’s support of Donald Trump should he secure the nomination, women in Arkansas have a clear choice this election between a career politician and prosecutor who gets things done.”