Democrats running in the 38th legislative district are focusing on abortion in their first digital ad of this year’s elections.
The ad, “Wrong,” connects Republican State Senate candidate Micheline Attieh and Assembly candidates Gail Horton and Barry Wilkes to abortion restrictions in Texas and proposed anti-abortion laws in New Jersey.
The Democrats running – State Sen. Joseph Lagana (D-Paramus), Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D-Fair Lawn), and Assemblyman Christopher Tully (D-Bergenfield) – are not featured in the ad at all, but it is implied that they will protect abortion access. All three voted to codify Roe v. Wade into state law.
Script: “Texas-style abortion bans… in New Jersey? If anti-choice Republicans like Micheline Attieh, Gail Horton, and Barry Wilkes take over our state legislature this fall, it will happen. They’ll pass new abortion bans in New Jersey, cutting off access to our reproductive health care. New Jersey Republicans already introduced an abortion ban in the state legislature. We can’t let New Jersey Republicans take away our freedom. Attieh, Horton, and Wilkes are wrong for New Jersey families.”
Democrats across the state have been focusing on abortion heading into this year’s elections. The Democrats running in the 16th legislative district, for example, have already released two ads that focus on abortion.
In a statement, Attieh, Horton, and Wilkes responded to the ad.
“Joe Lagana, Lisa Swain, and Chris Tully are hearing an earful from voters about their terrible record. We know because we talk to them. From pushing parents out of the classroom to ushering in a wave of radical green energy policies that will force New Jerseyans to hand over their gas stoves and gas-powered cars, these career politicians are now clearly running scared. No amount of money or scare tactics can cover up for their failed records in Trenton — their time is up,” they said.
This story was updated at 6:04 PM with comment from the Republican candidates.