Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Saturday asked the campaign of Democrat Amy McGrath, who is challenging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky this year, to remove him from a McGrath ad that attacks Mr. McConnell on the coronavirus response.
Ms. McGrath rejected the request, saying she’s standing by the ad and that it’s intended to show leadership during the crisis isn’t necessarily tied to one political party or another.
Mr. DeWine said he’s disappointed that an attack ad from Ms. McGrath uses his image against his “friend” Mr. McConnell.
“Mitch and I have worked together for a long time and I know that he is focused, as I am, on this crisis and I appreciate his leadership,” Mr. DeWine said. “I ask for the McGrath campaign to remove my image from her advertising immediately.”
Ohio Republicans pointed to the new minute-long ad from the McGrath campaign that compliments Mr. DeWine, a Republican, and other state leaders like Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for their leadership during the crisis.
“They’re all showing us what real leadership is and political party has nothing to do with it,” says Ms. McGrath, a retired fighter pilot.
She goes on to knock Mr. McConnell for saying he doesn’t want to pass “blue state bailouts” and suggesting that cash-strapped states be allowed to explore declaring bankruptcy.
“For Sen. McConnell, it’s all about politics,” she says.
Ms. McGrath said in response to Mr. DeWine that she “strongly” stands by the ad and that it was disappointing he was rejecting “sincere appreciation” from a Democrat.
“This is exactly what’s wrong with politics,” she said on Twitter. “Every comment is, unfortunately, examined through a red or blue lens. In this case, I’m pointing out that leadership doesn’t depend on your political jersey color.”
Mr. Hogan also suggested he was uncomfortable with the ad.
“As I’ve said repeatedly, this is not the time for partisan politics or finger pointing,” Mr. Hogan, a Republican, said on Twitter. “I appreciate the praise, but campaign ads politicizing the coronavirus response are not constructive towards the urgent goal of bringing everyone together to fight our common enemy: the virus.”
Ms. McGrath raised $12.8 million for her Senate bid in the first quarter and started April with about $14.8 million on hand.
Mr. McConnell raised nearly $7.5 million in the first quarter and finished the period with close to $15 million on hand.
The majority leader is a perpetual target for Democrats, though the party might direct more of its focus this year toward competitive Senate races in states like Colorado, Arizona, and North Carolina.
Democrats had been bullish on knocking off Mr. McConnell in 2014, but the Kentucky Republican ended up thumping Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes by about 16 points.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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