GOP mailer depicting anti-Semitic imagery draws outrage

A campaign mailer sent out by a Republican candidate for a state Senate seat in Connecticut is being widely denounced for using anti-Semitic tropes in an illustration of his Democratic challenger, who is Jewish.

The advertisement, which was sent out by Republican Ed Charamut’s campaign, depicts his challenger, Democratic state Rep. Matthew Lesser, holding a wad of cash in front of him, with a crazed look in his eyes.

The mailer drew wide outrage after its existence was reported on Tuesday, as concern about rising anti-Semitism runs high in the wake of the massacre of 11 Jewish congregants at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

The embrace of racially charged policies and rhetoric by Republicans, from President Trump to candidates across the country, has emboldened whitesupremacist groups, and, critics say, raised questions about the party’s intent.

Lesser told The Washington Post that he was incredulous when he first heard of the issue from some people in the district, which includes Middletown.

“I did not believe them, because we live in America,” he said. “I assumed it was some sort of mistake or misunderstanding.”

He said that his likeness had been photoshopped significantly in the mailer, raising further questions about his opponent’s aim. In addition to the hands grabbing $100 bills that were added to the picture, Lesser’s face has been altered with a smile and a crooked look in his eyes, he said.

The ad was widely condemned by a broad range of commentators on Tuesday.

“This is not a problem of individual monsters,” wrote New America fellow Jill Filipovic. “It is a concerted effort to fan the flames of anti-Semitism and stir up fear and hatred.”

The state Republican Party defended the image when first contacted about it.

“When I look at that, I don’t see Jewish,” J.R. Romano, the state party chairman, told the Hartford Courant. “The Democrats have false outrage all the time.”

A day after The Washington Post first inquired, Romano emailed The Post a statement that acknowledged the mailer’s anti-Semitic undertones and said he planned to meet with the ADL.