Sen. Ted Cruz’s campaign is going after New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ahead of the Republican presidential primary April 19, with a new radio ad saying the mayor’s “socialist policies” are tearing the city apart.
“Here’s Mayor de Blasio attacking Ted Cruz,” a narrator says in the 60-second spot.
“I think Ted Cruz is out of touch with New York state and New York City,” Mr. de Blasio says in a clip.
“He’s got a lot of nerve,” the narrator says. “De Blasio’s socialist policies are tearing this city apart. Murders up nearly 10 percent. He treats cops like criminals and criminals like freedom fighters.
“De Blasio made New York a sanctuary city, rolling out the red carpet for illegals,” the ad continues. “And de Blasio ended stop-and-frisk even where terror suspects are known to congregate.”
Mr. Cruz has been beating back attacks from Republican front-runner Donald Trump and others over his line during a candidates debate in which he derided Mr. Trump for embodying “New York values.” Mr. Cruz has said recently that the line applies to liberal politicians in the state, such as Mr. de Blasio.
In January, Mr. de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo penned a joint opinion piece in the New York Daily News hammering Mr. Cruz over the line.
The Cruz ad says Mr. de Blasio is meddling in the Republican primary and “campaigning against Cruz.”
“Because when Cruz is president, de Blasio’s done,” the ad says. “No more criminal-coddling, soft-on-terror policies. No more sanctuary cities.
“And Cruz will instruct the Justice Department to hold corrupt politicians accountable,” the narrator says. “Maybe that’s why de Blasio fears Ted Cruz. Send de Blasio a message: Vote Cruz for president.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.