Lt. Gov. funds attack ad criticizing Sen. Kelsey’s challenger
Salinas says outside groups are intent on hate, divisiveness
As Republicans look to protect their supermajority in the state Senate, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally is funding a a new ad attack ad against the Democratic challenger of Sen. Brian Kelsey.
The new ad, which is beginning to air on broadcast and cable stations in West Tennessee starting Tuesday, criticizes Kelsey’s opponent, Gabby Salinas, calling her a Democratic-Socialist.
The claim derives from a tweet Salinas posted on June 27 of a CNN story about New York Democratic-Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s victory in that state’s primary.
Salinas does not identify herself as a Democratic-Socialist anywhere on her campaign website.
Salinas said the new ad is part of an effort by outside groups to insert hateful and divisive attacks into the race.
Touting the state’s strong economy, the ad says Salinas would move the state in the wrong direction.
“Gabby Salinas will break Tennessee’s economy,” the ad concludes.
Salinas said she didn’t think the voters in the Senate district want the kind of negative attacks seen in the new ad.
“I believe in running to connect with voters, and on the issues,” she said. “They want you to think I’m scary, but here’s who I am: a cancer survivor, scientist, and health care advocate who’s running to provide common sense, evidence-based solutions to the problems of our district.”
The ad buy, estimated to cost about $300,000, was funded by McNally’s political action committee.
In a statement, McNally said he was committed to spending the resources to ensure “Tennessee’s successful Senate team returns to work in January.”
“To keep Tennessee on the right track, we need to keep Brian Kelsey in the Senate,” McNally said, calling Salinas too liberal for the state.
Kelsey, R-Germantown, has served in the Senate since being first elected in 2009.
Political onlookers see Kelsey’s district as an opportunity for Democrats to pick up a seat in the Senate. Republicans currently hold 28 of the 33 seats in the chamber.
Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.