With U.S. midterm elections approaching, Republicans have increasingly attacked Democratic Senate candidates with personal insults and claims that the source describes as false or unsupported. The rhetoric comes as President Donald Trump faces declining popularity and Republicans confront voter concerns about rising prices, according to the report.
In Kansas, Republican Sen. Roger Marshall suggested without evidence that his opponent, Democrat Adam Hamilton, was likely involved in child grooming. In Texas, Republicans have portrayed Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico as an extremist and used his past statements supporting transgender young people to suggest he is fixated on children. Vice President JD Vance made a similar insinuation at a rally, while Trump used the nickname “Talafreako.” Talarico said he was not vegan, despite claims about his campaign’s plans, and said it ran on barbecue.
In Michigan, Republican attacks on Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed have focused on his Muslim faith. Trump called him a “cruel and violent jihadist,” and Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy said at a rally that voters should be afraid of the prospect of El-Sayed’s support leading to Islamic law in the state. Republican candidate Mike Rogers later distanced himself from Sheehy’s remarks, saying he had not made them. El-Sayed argued that his name and faith were being used to distract from voters’ concerns about the cost of gasoline and groceries.
The report also describes a personal attack against South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews, whom Trump referred to using a transphobic insult. Andrews is cisgender. She has said she does not support transgender women competing in women’s sports or gender-transition surgeries for minors.
Some Republicans have objected to the tone. Former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake called the party’s increasingly harsh language “terrible” and said it had reached a new level of vulgarity. Political analysts cited in the report said such rhetoric could put off moderate voters, while potentially mobilizing the Republican base. Democrats have condemned the attacks but fear they may persuade some voters.
Republicans have faced criticism over a campaign ad in Ohio produced by Vivek Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial campaign. The commercial featured the mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton, who has said she stopped speaking to her mother when she was 12 after her stepfather was accused of raping her. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine called the ad deeply disturbing, while Trump and Vance defended it. Former President Barack Obama also criticized the standards that allowed it to be aired.
The article notes that Democrats have also used personal attacks, including accusations of corruption, and that California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office posted social media messages suggesting some conservatives were gay. But it says Republican attacks have stood out for their intensity in this election cycle. Political scientist Christina Greer described the campaign as the worst she had seen, attributing its tone in part to candidates shaping messages for social media and Republicans imitating Trump.
Democratic officials in Michigan say the attacks on El-Sayed’s faith and background may be affecting his prospects in a closely watched Senate contest. Mike McGuinness, the Democratic mayor of Pontiac, said the remarks were strong contenders for a place in the “Hall of Fame” of such attacks.
Sources: Folha Mundo.