Jacob Ogles
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s re-election campaign pulled two ads from broadcast television after questions about content were raised. Both were the subject of reporting by Florida Politics for offering incomplete presentations of facts, though the Rubio campaign says one of the ads is still appearing on cable TV.
One ad, “100%,” attacked Democratic challenger Val Demings for voting for pandemic relief checks that went to inmates and undocumented workers, but failed to mention that Rubio co-sponsored and voted for the legislation as well. The ad began running on Sept. 14, but the last airing was on Sept. 19.
The other, “Diego’s,” spotlighted a Panama City Beach business that benefited from the Paycheck Protection Program, which Rubio helped craft. But it turned out the business was owned by a man who pleaded no contest to a charge he solicited and procured a prostitute in 2001. That ad started airing on Sept. 9, but abruptly came off broadcast television, also on Sept. 19.
The “100%” ad was pulled three days after Florida Politics reported on the failure to mention Rubio’s support of the same bill. The “Diego’s” ad came down a day before Florida Politics first reported on the business owner’s criminal record.
Demings’ campaign criticized Rubio for a “series of campaign missteps” after the latest ad was taken off the air.
“Marco Rubio’s campaign is in complete disarray,” said Christian Slater, Communications Director for the Demings campaign.
“He’s desperately attempting to save his flailing campaign with cheap political stunts, but Florida voters know he doesn’t show up for work, and hurts Florida when he does. This November, Florida will send a cop on the beat to the United States Senate and reject the career politician who refuses to do his job.”
Of note, both of the ads still can be viewed on Rubio’s YouTube channel, so the campaign isn’t completely disassociating itself with the content. Elizabeth Gregory, Communications Director for Rubio, said “Diego’s” is also still running on cable. “We routinely change traffic,” she said.
She categorized the attention on the ads as misdirection from Demings’ poor record in the House.
“Democrats will do anything to distract from Marco Rubio’s record of results since their candidate Val Demings has accomplished nothing in Washington,” Gregory said.
“The jobs of the three Florida women featured in this ad were saved because Rubio’s Paycheck Protection Program did just what it was designed to do: protect their paychecks, and any insinuation that wasn’t a worthy cause is dishonest and politically-motivated.”
Ad Impact data shows five Rubio campaign ads have launched on broadcast television this month, and the two ads drawing scrutiny were yanked from airwaves.
Notably, another ad, “Most Liberal,” remains on the air and also attacks Demings for supporting COVID-19 relief checks that ended up in the hands of undocumented workers. “She supports amnesty and gave stimulus checks to illegal immigrants,” a narrator in that ad states.
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A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics contributed to this report.
20 comments
Ocean Joe
September 21, 2022 at 10:07 am
Why not pull his entire campaign? The GOP contract on America back in 1994-6 was allegedly all about term limits. Of course once they took the House, they dropped all mention, since it was merely a cynical ploy to win elections.
12 years is enough. It’s too bad this guy, who worked well with Bill Nelson for Florida, who came close to getting something done about immigration, who actually stood up to Trump during 2016 has become a complete Trumpist, following all the nonsense Trump spews as if he believes it.
Trump’s America First isolationism is totally opposite Rubio’s constant calls for intervention against Latin dictators, or his positions on foreign policy around the world, his opposition to China, yet Rubio gave up on all that and is now an election denier, who hangs with Lindsey Graham at the Mar-A-Lago buffet table.
Tom
September 21, 2022 at 10:34 am
You are just a Trump hating troll.
You must be soros associated tik tok chinese hate campaign. My goodness, how brain dead are you ocean. Read something for some new topics.
Rubio ain’t a Democrat ocean. He’s not voting the way you like! Get over it.
Joe Corsin
September 21, 2022 at 10:49 am
Trump is a troll…
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Jack
September 22, 2022 at 12:14 pm
It’s so sad that you still support a scam artist, treasonous traitor and corrupt liar. I hope that when scumbag gets sentenced for his treatment of Classified Top Secret Information, all of the people like you that are still spreading conspiracy theories and spreading complete lies in attempts to undermine and destroy Our Democracy will be punished to the fullest extent of the law!
Tom
September 21, 2022 at 10:29 am
FP smears a guy who had a problem 21 years ago. The merits are legitimate, three people had jobs saved because of it. The PPP served purpose. It didn’t say if you were convicted, don’t apply.
My goodness, 21 yrs ago. Has everyone at FP staff not made a mistake ever. Good going.
Charlie Crist
September 21, 2022 at 11:09 am
Vote for me. I’ll kick this whore monger of fat women right in the azz…
Deanna
September 22, 2022 at 12:13 pm
I wouldn’t vote for Charlie Crist was the last Man on Earth
Jack
September 22, 2022 at 12:19 pm
You Got My Vote as well as all my family members and friends here in flor a duh
Tara
September 22, 2022 at 2:58 pm
You
Tara
September 22, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Desatin has his nose in everybody’s business. Wrong Rubio let Trump trash his wife on National TV and yet sucks up to him. They both are loosers. Why hasn’t anyone checked into Desatins back ground from his college years? I bet you will find plenty.
Tom
September 21, 2022 at 11:47 am
Joey corsin, Charlie chameleon go F yourself!
Melania
September 21, 2022 at 6:41 pm
So easily triggered!! Typical contard.
PeterH
September 21, 2022 at 12:10 pm
It’s time for Rubio to find a public sector job.
Vote Rubio out of office!
Tom
September 21, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Retarded peter h.
FP smears a business owner, 21 yrs later cause Dumings campaign can’t step forward. FP proves once again how they are tools for Dems.
You peter h, lackey for pathetic Lincoln.
Jim Bomford
September 21, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Not a big fan of Rubio’s but Demings is a chameleon. As a police chief she took a lot of heat for using the broken windows theory. But she continued the job until she set her sights on Washington. Then she became anti-law enforcement and anti cop. So as I said not thrilled I will stick with Rubio as long as he stays the course. Last thing we need in Washington is another Pelosi rubber stamp.
Don Jr
September 21, 2022 at 6:43 pm
Aww somebody’s homo for lil’ marco
joey
September 22, 2022 at 1:24 pm
Talking about Rubber stamps. Thats Rubio 100% vote with Trump.
Barry Davis
September 22, 2022 at 1:47 pm
Val Demings is a DemocRAT voting machine. She’s not going to vote in favor of oil and gas leases off Florida’s coast or in ANWR because the DemocRAT leadership’s positions in this issue is no. So, if you vote for her you’re voting for continuing high energy prices and high inflation. I’m not that dumb. Perhaps the bots and trolls on this site are, but not me. Marco Rubio for the win.
marylou
September 22, 2022 at 3:56 pm
There are 9,000 unused oil leases just waiting for drilling. Company shareholders are refusing to invest in drilling because they are waiting for higher profits! The majority of Floridians don’t want oil off the coast. It looks like you don’t know much about ANWR! Do you need to destroy EVERYTHING? RECORD OIL COMPANY PROFITS!!! That’s why your gas costs more now!!! RECORD CORPORATE PROFITS!!! That’s why everything costs more now!!!
Comments are closed.