Rep. Steve Pearce (R-02) "is targeting" Rep. Heather Wilson (R-01) "in a pair of new ads that signal the opening of the advertising floodgates." In a TV spot that began 4/22, Pearce "touts himself as the lone conservative in the race while blasting a proposed health-program expansion backed by Wilson" (Jones, Albuquerque Journal, 4/23). Full script TV ad by Anthem Media:
ANNCR: "There's only one. Only one conservative in the race for Senate. Republican Steve Pearce. He's worked to cut taxes. Eliminate wasteful spending. Defended our traditional New Mexico values. And Steve Pearce is the only New Mexico congressman to oppose a disastrous government run socialized medicine scheme. It's a fact. There's only one conservative running for Senate. Republican Steve Pearce." PEARCE: "I'm Steve Pearce and I approve this message" (Hotline sources, 4/23).
"A Pearce radio ad scheduled to begin today also bashes Wilson" for missing a recent House vote on a "sanctuary cities" measure. The ad: "Heather Wilson is paid over $165,000 a year to represent us in Washington. But last week, Heather Wilson was too busy playing politics to do her job." In an e-mail to supporters, Wilson said Pearce's message is "disappointing and inaccurate." And she pointed out that Sen. Pete Domenici (R) also backed the health-program expansion.
Pearce's radio ad says passage would have "put New Mexico values above liberal sanctuary city policies." Wilson "has said that, while she would have voted 'yes' alongside Pearce, she does not believe local police should be required to report all illegal immigrants they come in contact with to the federal government" (Albuquerque Journal, 4/23).
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