Republicans have slammed Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin on immigration, seeking to link her to the Biden-Harris open borders policy in two new ads released Wednesday.
Both ads target Slotkin, a three-term congressman, for positions she supported during her time in Congress.
One ad features Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy taking a law-and-order approach to illegal immigration. Last month, Murphy's department hosted former President Donald Trump for a speech that focused on crime and illegal immigration.
“As sheriff, I see every day how illegal immigration impacts Michigan,” Murphy said in the 30-second commercial, “and I hold Kamala Harris and Elisa Slotkin responsible.”
Murphy continued, “Harris and Slotkin opened the border to illegal immigrants and are rewarding them with taxpayer-funded handouts. These liberal policies are a threat to families and taxpayers.”
The second spot focuses on undocumented immigrants from an economic perspective, featuring Vanessa Holden, a mother of four from Webberville, a suburb of Lansing, where inflation has made everyday life more expensive.
“Inflation is costing us thousands of extra dollars every year,” Holden said. “We're paying more, while Rep. Elissa Slotkin is giving our money to illegal immigrants.”
Both ads reference Slotkin's vote in favor of Biden's COVID-19 economic stimulus package, the American Rescue Plan, in March 2021. Michigan's House delegation voted across party lines in favor of the ARP, with seven Republicans in favor and seven Democrats opposed. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters also supported the bill.
“Elissa Slotkin and Kamala Harris appear more interested in helping illegal immigrants than helping Michiganders struggling with rising prices,” said Maggie Abboud, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Slotkin will face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in the November election.
The ad campaign is part of a $100 million effort by Republicans to flip the Senate. Topping the polls With both of them holding the fundraising advantage, the race is fierce. The Cook Political Report has Slotkin and Rogers in a close race, reversing the Democratic lead.
