Republican ad says Democrat ‘unfit for public office like Trump’

WASHINGTON: Florida Republicans are trying to thwart the efforts of a Democratic candidate on the local level with a rather unusual attack plan – they are comparing him to their own presidential nominee Donald Trump.

In the heated race for Orange County property appraiser, the Leadership for Florida’s Future political committee distributed mailers that liken the Democratic incumbent, Rick Singh, to the New York billionaire.

“Rick Singh has a lot in common with Donald Trump,” the mailer read. “Scandal. Dirty deals. Disdain for women.” The attack ad urged voters to choose Republican candidate Edward DeAguilera.

It sends an unusual message from area Republicans, as Trump is leading in the Sunshine State by four points, according to the latest NBC/ Wall Street Journal four-way poll.

Nonetheless, the mailer made it clear that Orange County Republicans want to distance themselves from the polarising presidential nominee.

“Like Trump, Singh is simply unfit for public office,” it said, alleging Singh is “involved in scandals”, “named in a federal racketeering lawsuit”, and “member of a Facebook group that demeans and objectifies women”.

“I’m the complete opposite of Donald Trump. I was raised by a single mother who worked three jobs as a maid to make ends meet,” Singh said, adding he found the attack “hilarious”. – The Independent