‘Embarrassing, desperate, cringeworthy’: GOP candidate films Super Bowl ad showing him shooting at Dems, including husband of Gabby Giffords
Jim Lamon’s ad depicts him shooting a pistol at Arizona senator Mark Kelly
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Arizona Senate candidate is drawing fire for filming a television advertisement in which he is depicted in an armed confrontation with the husband of a former House member who was shot in the head during a 2011 assassination attempt.
Arizona businessman Jim Lamon on Thursday released the incendiary advertisement, which shows him in a “showdown” with an actor depicting his opponent, Senator Mark Kelly, as well as actors playing President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Mr Lamon, who portrayed himself dressed as a sheriff in the Western-themed ad, tells the Democrats: "The good people of Arizona have had enough of you — it's time for a showdown,” before firing a pistol at them.
Mr Kelly, who was elected to fill the remainder of the late Arizona senator John McCain’s term, is running for re-election to a full term this year. A former Nasa astronaut and ex-Navy pilot, he is married to former Arizona representative Gabrielle Giffords.
Ms Giffords, a Democrat, was nearly killed 11 years ago when a gunman opened fire at an event in her Tuscon district. After retiring from Congress, she and Mr Kelly founded a gun safety nonprofit advocacy group now known as Giffords.
The ad has drawn condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats alike.
Shannon Watts, the founder of the Moms Demand Action gun control advocacy group, called the 30-second spot — which is set to run in Arizona during the Super Bowl — “disgusting” and noted Mr Kelly’s wife’s history as a victim of gun violence.
California Representative Eric Swalwell, another Democrat, weighed in on Twitter against the ad.
“Republicans don’t have any ideas to help you. And they can’t win elections. So they’ve gone all in on using violence as a path to power,” he wrote.
Former Arizona GOP executive director Brian Murray — whose consultancy is supporting one of Mr Lamon’s opponents — also criticised the ad, which he called “pathetic” and suggested Mr Lamon should produce used car commercials after he loses the election.
Barrett Marson, a bipartisan campaign strategist in Phoenix, told Phoenix New Times the ad was “embarrassing, desperate, and cringeworthy all in one”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments