Candidate voices NRA frustration in TV ad — explicitly
Station says it can’t edit or censor political messages, but does warn viewers
Political ads don’t usually come with warnings.
But one candidate for Congress has taken to New Mexico’s airwaves with a profane and explicit message.
“[Expletive] the NRA,” Democrat Pat Davis says in a new 15-second television ad that first aired uncensored Friday on KRQE-TV.
The ad received national coverage for a candidate who has struggled to stand out in a crowded Democratic primary election in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, centered in Albuquerque. Websites from Fox News to HuffPost seized on Davis’ profane denunciation of the NRA.
Davis said in an interview his ad renewed attention on the issue of gun control. The subject has been pushed to the fore of the public discourse after a shooting at a Florida high school earlier this year that left 17 people dead.
In turn, gun issues are poised to have a particularly big influence on this year’s election. Davis has touted what he calls gun violence prevention as a priority.
The ad, he said, was meant to express the frustration of gun control proponents who view the NRA as blocking even minor changes in policy at the state level and in Washington, D.C.
“Their pro-gun policies have resulted in dead children, dead mothers and dead fathers,” Davis said in the commercial, adding that “if Congress won’t change our gun laws, we need to change Congress.” But why that word? “We’ve been polite about it and it has only gotten us thoughts and prayers,” said Davis, a former police officer and member of the Albuquerque City Council.
As for how Davis got his message on the air, profanity and all, KRQE Station Manager Bill Anderson said federal law prohibits his staff from editing or censoring this sort of political ad.
Under rules about equal access, Anderson said, his station could not refuse to sell airtime to Davis because his opponents in the primary election are advertising, too.
As for whether this might just degrade the public discourse, Davis said: “I think Donald Trump has changed all the rules, no matter what, but we’re not copying that. This issue is unique.” Anderson said Davis’ ad put the station in a quandary. “I’ve never seen this before,” he said. “… We’re not comfortable putting that kind of language on here, but we’re also not comfortable defying regulations.”
The station ran a 15-second warning before the ad, saying it contained inappropriate language and adding that the commercial was not endorsed by KRQE-TV or its owner, Nexstar Media Group.
A spokesman for the Federal Communications Commission, which polices profanity on television, declined to comment.
Davis said his campaign is considering airing the ad again next week but during times when children are less likely to be watching.
Regardless, the ad is likely to stand out as several other candidates have taken to the airwaves in the Democratic primary for the seat Democratic U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham is giving up to run for governor.
Davis is competing in the June 5 election against former state Democratic Party Chairwoman Deb Haaland, former law professor Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, lawyer Damian Lara, former U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez and entrepreneur Paul Moya.