The AFL-CIO on Thursday launched digital Facebook ads that attack U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, the Republican candidate in the U.S. Senate race for the seat of retiring Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Some of the ads remind viewers that the GOP candidate for president is Donald Trump, saying: Tell Rep. Heck to speak out against Trumps hate.
Thats a reference in part to Trumps controversial comments on Mexican immigrants when he said in June 2015: Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. Trump later clarified that, saying he meant immigrants in the country illegally.
AFL-CIO officials say the ads are intended to educate working families and drive traffic to petitions on issues such as immigration reform and infrastructure investment.
Harry Reids D.C. special interests are all-in for his hand-picked candidate, Hecks campaign spokesman said in a statement. Heck has said he supports Trump as the nominee and doesnt agree with everything he says.
Heck is facing Democratic candidate Catherine Cortez Masto, a former Nevada attorney general.
The six-figure buy of ads include Senate races in Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida and Wisconsin.
Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com. Find him on Twitter:@BenBotkin1