The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched new ads Thursday highlighting Republican candidate Greg Gianforte assault of a reporter just before voters go to the polls.
The ad, titled “Body Slam,” encourages viewers to turn up the volume to hear audio of Gianforte’s encounter with Ben Jacobs, a reporter for the Guardian.
“This is the sound of Republican congressional candidate Greg Gianforte violently assaulting a journalist,” the ad says.
Viewers can hear Jacobs ask Gianforte about the CBO’s analysis of the House GOP’s healthcare bill, which Gianforte refused to answer.
Gianforte instead instructs Jacobs to “speak with Shane, please,” a reference to his spokesman, Shane Scanlon.
The audio is then muffled and Gianforte can be heard yelling, “I’m sick and tired of you guys!”
“He body-slammed him,” the ad continues. “The election is right now. Go. Vote. Against. Him.”
In addition to the digital ads, the DCCC also released radio ads focused on the assault.
“A reporter asked Greg Gianforte about the new health care bill in Congress, and Gianforte came unhinged,” the ad says.
“Today is Election Day in Montana. But before you vote, ask yourself, ‘If Greg Gianforte can be sentened to jail, should he really be elected to Congress?” it continues.
Police cited Gianforte for misdemeanor assault, and three major Montana newspapers withdrew their endorsements of the Republican in the wake of the incident.
Gianforte is facing Democrat Rob Quist in Montana’s special election to fill the seat held by Ryan Zinke, who is now the interior secretary.
“Greg Gianforte must immediately withdraw his candidacy after his alleged violent assault of an innocent journalist,” DCCC spokesman Tyler Law said in a statement Thursday. “Further, Speaker Ryan and the National Republican Campaign Committee should not waste another minute before publicly denouncing their candidate and apologizing for millions of dollars they spent on his behalf.”
