‘Tis the season to go negative, midterm candidates in homestretch ramp up attacks on rivals

With the deadline for midterm voting just two weeks away, candidates and their campaigns are discharging the last of their ammunition to score final hits on their opponents. 

While such attacks have long been a part of the standard campaign playbook, this election cycle has had its moments in such history. 

During a debate last week for the open Michigan Senate seat, GOP nominee Mike Rogers claimed Democrat nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s “biggest funders are from a group that supports the Muslim Brotherhood,” which has had some chapters designated as terrorist organizations. 

He also questioned whether someone in his Muslim opponent's family might be on a "watchlist."

El-Sayed in response called Rogers "a sock puppet for the Trump administration." The beef over the accusation continued into Friday with El-Sayed saying, I don’t want to make this about faith."

The outcome of the race is one of a handful that will determine whether Democrats take control of the Senate from Republicans, with El-Sayed leading by 2.6 points, according to the RealClearPolitics polls average.

More recently, in a debate Tuesday in the Georgia Senate race, incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff asked GOP challenger Doug Collins whether he would "commit tonight that for the remainder of this campaign – it's just three weeks, Mike – you won't allow any more neo-Nazi propaganda to be produced from your house?" 

Collins called on Ossoff to answer for donations from a prominent Democratic mega-donor who was mentioned in the files for deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whose connection to politically powerful men, as well as the files, have for years been a political third rail.

"Why don't you denounce it?" Collins asked. "Why don't you return that money?" 

Republican ads this cycle have been particularly brutal, with the sharpest attacks appearing in the pivotal Senate contests that include Alaska, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, as well as Maine. 

But while polling currently favors the Democrats, the Republican fundraising advantage should give them a better opportunity to buy and run digital and TV ads. 

Republicans and their aligned groups have booked roughly $888 million in planned ads through Election Day, compared to $666 million for the Democrats, according to CNBC. Here’s a look at where some of that money is going.

Texas

Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing off against Democratic state Sen. James Talarico to replace GOP Sen. John Cornyn, who lost his primary to Paxton.

Talarico is currently regarded as the favorite, despite Texas being a typically Republican-leaning state, but some polls have shown Paxton moving into the lead and his latest round of ads could help him solidify that position.

One recent Paxton ad, titled “Twisted,” features a mother highlighting Talarico’s support for transgender participation in women’s sports, his voting record on the issue, and his dismissals of parental concerns.

Ohio

In Ohio, GOP Sen. Jon Husted is fighting for a full-term against former Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown, who hopes to return to Washington after losing his seat to GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno in 2024. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Husted to replace JD Vance after he vacated the Senate seat to become vice president.

Husted’s line of attack takes aim at Brown’s long career in Washington and paints him as a career politician.

“Don’t Be Fooled” features a quote from Brown saying, “Washington works them, I’ll work for you” before a voice-over in the ad says, “Sherrod Brown is Washington” and highlights his 32 years in Congress.

Maine

Though Senator Susan Collins, who is seeking a sixth term, has typically focused on her own record, a recent ad has taken aim directly at Jackson. The “Nook and Cranny” ad features a Maine voter from Allagash, the hometown of Jackson, highlighting that Jackson was unable to win town council in his own hometown.

“That speaks volumes,” voter Dan Daigle said in the ad. He then highlighted claims that Jackson had collected $160,000 in travel expense reimbursements while living 3 miles from the state House.

“Where I grew up, that’s stealing. He should be held accountable,” Daigle said.

Michigan

One of Rogers' most recent ads warns about the potential negative economic impact of El-Sayed's tax proposals.

“Highest” features a string of Michigan residents discussing the impact of an energy tax El-Sayed has floated, including claims it would raise gas prices by 20 cents a gallon and utility bills by $2,000 a year.

“We can’t afford Abdul,” one voter says.

North Carolina

Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has taken a strong lead in that state's Senate race over Republican nominee Michael Whatley, the former head of the state GOP and ex-Republican National Committee chairman.

Whatley and his allies have hoped to narrow the gap with sharp critiques of his record on law and order. But recent attacks have taken aim at the governor on affordability. 

Whatley recently appeared with Energy Secretary Chris Wright to discuss the impact of Cooper’s energy policies on utility bills.

“Cooper’s handpicked Public Utilities Commission raised electricity rates 30% to implement his Green New Deal policies while he was taking in millions of dollars from a sweetheart solar deal,” Whatley said.

However, his campaign has recently pulled TV ads temporarily, as national Republicans pull away from the race to focus on other candidates nationwide.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.