GOP launches three new TV ads in 16th district

Republicans running in the 16th legislative district released three new TV ads today, each emphasizing a different candidate who spoke about small businesses, families, or the American Dream.

The first ad, “It’s True,” highlights State Senate candidate Mike Pappas, who discusses his time working in the U.S. Small Business Administration. The ad features Pappas and his running mates, Assembly candidates Ross Traphagen and Grace Zhang, engaging with a small business owner while showing Pappas’ opponent, State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick), with Gov. Phil Murphy.

Script: “I served in the U.S. Small Business Administration right after the 9/11 attacks. I know how hard it is for small businesses to operate under difficult circumstances. Elected officials like Andrew Zwicker don’t get it. They don’t understand what small business owners face every day. When I see Andrew Zwicker support radical policies such as banning gas-powered cars, it’s unconscionable, but it’s true. We deserve better. I’m Mike Pappas and I’m running for Senate to bring common sense to Trenton.”

The second ad, “My Daughter,” focuses on Assembly candidate Ross Traphagen, who speaks about his desire to ensure that his soon-to-be-born daughter has access to open farmland and quality education in New Jersey. The ad features his wife and his opponents, Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-Hillsborough) and Assembly candidate Mitchelle Drulis; his running mates, however, are not featured.

Script: “I’ve lived in New Jersey my whole life right here in the beautiful town of Clinton. My wife and I are expecting our first baby early next year. We love it here in New Jersey and we want to be able to raise our family here too. But I see so many young families like mine moving to other states for better opportunities. Politicians like Roy Freiman and Mitchelle Drulis support policies that are overdeveloping our communities, overcrowding our schools, and destroying open space and farmland. I’m Ross Traphagen and I’m running so my daughter can call New Jersey home.”

The third ad, “American Dream,” puts the focus on Assembly candidate Grace Zhang, and charts her personal trajectory of leaving communist China for the United States. Zhang emphasizes her commitment to securing the American dream – which includes running a small business and raising a family. Although her running mates are not featured in the ad, her opponents Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-Hillsborough) and Assembly candidate Mitchelle Drulis are.

Script: “I decided to leave China shortly after the Tiananmen Square protests and arrived in the United States. I graduated with a master’s degree in accounting and started a successful small business, and raised three beautiful children. I wasn’t going to co-parent and share my business with a Communist state, now why should I do that with politicians like Roy Freiman and Mitchelle Drulis. I’m Grace Zhang, I’m running for State Assembly to keep the American dream alive.”

Taken together, these three ads suggest that the Republicans in the 16th are focusing on quality of life and affordability as their top issues.

“These three ads highlight our commitment to fighting for the people of New Jersey. We are running for office because we believe there must be a change in leadership in Trenton. We need to create a more favorable environment for small businesses, stop overdevelopment and protect the freedoms that make the American Dream possible here in New Jersey,” the Republican slate said in a joint statement.

That the Republicans are focusing on kitchen table issues – instead of other issues such as gender identity in schools – highlights their appeal to moderate voters.

The 16th is one of this year’s most competitive – and crucial – races. The Democratic slate has already released three ads – which largely focused on abortion rights.