Democrats are spending nearly half-a-million dollars to prop up a pro-Trump Republican in a highly contested House race in hopes of unseating a candidate the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) deems more moderate.
The DCCC plans to spend $425,000 on an ad portraying John Gibbs as the true pro-Trump candidate compared to Republican Representative Peter Meijer, who voted to impeach Trump. The ad attempts to paint Gibbs as “too conservative” for West Michigan, however, the pro-Trump messaging aligns with the narrative Gibbs has relied on throughout his campaign.
“Handpicked by Trump to run for Congress, Gibbs called Trump ‘the greatest president’ and worked in Trump’s administration with Ben Carson,” the ad says, according to Axios.
“Gibbs has promised to push that same conservative agenda in Congress” including immigration and education policy, the ad continues, saying “the Gibbs-Trump agenda is too conservative for West Michigan.”
Trump endorsed Gibbs after Meijer voted to impeach him, saying, “John Gibbs is a fabulous talent who loves the State, our Military, and our Vets. He will always protect our Second Amendment, our Southern Border, and the Police—there will be no defunding with John!”
The DCCC did not respond to the outlet when asked if the ad is meant to boost Gibbs.
A spokesperson for Meijer told the outlet, “Democrats don’t want to face Peter Meijer in the November election because Peter is the best candidate to represent West Michigan in Congress, and he’s the only candidate who will put the interests of the 3rd District ahead of partisan priorities.”
The Michigan race marks the latest attempt by the Democrats to bolster support behind pro-Trump candidates in contested races.
The House Majority PAC funded an ad elevating pro-Trump Chris Mathys against moderate Republican Representative David Valadao in California’s 22nd District. In Colorado, a Democratic super PAC funded an ad boosting Representative Ron Hanks, who denies Joe Biden won the 2020 election. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party also used funds to bolster support for Republican state Senator Doug Mastriano, who helped organize buses to take Trump supporters to the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6, which devolved into a riot at the Capitol.
Hillary Clinton ran on the same strategy in the 2016 presidential election, and the plan backfired, as she ultimately lost to Trump in the general election.