Aaron Schock was right: Haters gonna hate.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is taking advantage of the controversy surrounding Schock, a Republican congressman, and his very red “Downton Abbey”-inspired Capitol Hill office.
According to The Hill, the DCCC is sending a mailer to the individuals in the Republican-leaning 18th congressional district of Illinois — which Schock represents in the House — that hits the congressman for his lavish office accommodations.
“Congressman Schock’s luxurious Downton Abbey-inspired office may impress royalty, but it’s outrageous that he makes taxpayers pay for him to live like a king,” reads the flyer.
It also features photos of Schock’s bright red office along with a photoshopped picture of the Republican lawmaker sitting on a throne, sporting a crown and grasping a scepter.
Schock has undergone scrutiny since the Washington Post reported earlier this month that his office in the Rayburn House Office Building — accented with bright red walls, a chandelier and a wall sconce — was redecorated by a designer to resemble a room featured on the famous PBS television show.
While Schock at first didn’t appear willing to discuss his digs, the lawmaker eventually spoke to ABC News about the matter, insisting that he didn’t know about the particular design of the office until he “read the newspaper” himself.
The Illinois lawmaker also said that he would be the one paying the interior decorator, Annie Brahler, for her work.
When asked what his constituents think of the design, Schock said plainly that he’s not “an old, crusty white guy.”
“I’m different. I came to Congress at 27,” he elaborated. “When I take a personal vacation, I don’t go sit on the beach. I go do active things, and so I’m also not going to live in a cave. So, when I post an Instagram photo of me with my friends, you know, as Taylor Swift said, ‘haters gonna hate.'”
Unfortunately for the DCCC, the hate won’t likely affect much change. After all, Schock won his last two elections handedly with about three-fourths of the vote.
