Super PAC launches ad defending Sherrill from attacks over ethics

A super PAC supporting Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s candidacy for governor launched a pair of ads this week, including one pushing back against attacks over the congresswoman’s stock-trading history and donations from Elon Musk’s SpaceX PAC. 

Sherrill, considered by many to be the frontrunner in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, has faced attacks on the airwaves in recent weeks. So far, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s campaign and a super PAC backing Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop have put money behind attacks over Elon Musk-related donations and stock trades.

Sherrill said she has donated the SpaceX super PAC money, which went to her congressional campaign, to charity. Regarding stock trading, Sherrill paid a $400 late disclosure fine in 2022 related to her husband’s stock transactions; conservative media outlets have implied that Sherrill’s trading has led to a major increase in her personal wealth, though their evidence for such claims is speculative.

Sherrill has led every publicly released poll of the June 10 primary so far, forcing her opponents to target her in the waning days of the race.

The 30-second spot from the One Giant Leap super PAC tries to defuse those attacks. Citing analysis from 2020 of her decision to sell all individual stocks to prevent even the appearance of impropriety, the ad says Sherrill goes “above and beyond” ethical standards expected of members of Congress. The ad also highlighted a Sherrill-sponsored bill that would have required Musk, who has a history of reported drug use, to submit to drug testing while working for his Department of Government Efficiency.

The advertisement accuses her opponents of attacking Sherrill for political gain, even cutting to an image of Fulop while claiming her rivals are “lying” about her.

A second, more traditional Spanish-language ad tells voters she will fight President Donald Trump to protect Social Security and Medicaid and improve affordability and healthcare.

The ads are likely a welcome sight for the Sherrill campaign — in a public memo dated Saturday and accessible on Sherrill’s campaign site, Campaign Manager Alex Ball provides “interested parties” with several of the talking points and strategies used in the ads. The memo also features the two news articles used in the ad to fend off attacks regarding ethical concerns. The Federal Election Commission does not consider the use of public memos to signal for outside help, known as “redboxing,” to be illegal coordination with independent expenditure groups.

One Giant Leap is putting seven figures behind the English ad, placing it on broadcast, cable, streaming, and digital. The Spanish-language ad will have six figures behind it, on Spanish-language broadcast, cable, and streaming.

X user and election analyst @UMichVoter first reported on the ad Wednesday.

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Transcript:

“Same old politicians. Same old playbook. Lying about Mikie Sherrill for political gain. The truth? Independent news sources praise Mikie Sherrill’s ethical standards, saying she went ‘above and beyond.’ When Trump and Musk threatened New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill stood her ground, named as one of Musk’s top critics. That’s Mikie Sherrill. Navy helicopter pilot. Federal prosecutor. Mom of four. Mikie Sherrill’s ready to protect New Jersey. Mikie Sherrill for governor.”