The advocacy group of former vice president Mike Pence is targeting Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota in its latest ad buy, along with two other Democratic lawmakers.
Advancing American Freedom has launched television commercials in the districts of U.S. Reps. Craig, Sharice Davis (Kansas), and Cindy Axne (Iowa), who are perceived as particularly vulnerable Democrats in upcoming midterm elections.
According to The Hill, the ads are part of the group’s energy independence campaign that criticizes President Joe Biden and Democratic lawmakers over high gas prices across the country.
In the ad targeting Craig, who represents Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, a woman blames Biden and the Democratic Party for the “worst inflation crisis in 40 years” — referring to an 8.5% jump in consumer prices last month, an increase not seen since 1982 — and states that she spends $80 to fill up her minivan’s gas tank.
The second district in Minnesota is considered a swing district due to its high number of Republican voters and consistent Republican representation in recent memory. Craig only unseated incumbent Rep. Jason Lewis in 2018, becoming the first Democrat to represent the second district since David Minge in 2000.
Although a progressive Democrat, Craig has occasionally had to buck the party line to keep her constituency happy. For example, she lent her support to a bill trying to pressure the Biden administration not to lift Title 42 immigration restrictions. These restrictions, if repealed, would allow asylum seekers to remain in the United States while their applications are reviewed.
“The United States cannot revoke Title 42 without having a concrete plan to enforce our laws and ensure order in our immigration system,” she said in a statement. “The Administration’s decision to do so could precipitate a significant influx of migrants arriving at our Southern border which our current system simply isn’t prepared to handle — which would undermine our ability to ensure a secure, orderly and humane immigration process.”
“We must ensure our nation is fully prepared for any and all potential ramifications before deciding to roll back this public health measure,” she added.
The Cook Political Report considers the race for Minnesota’s Second Congressional District a “toss up.” Tyler Kistner was recently endorsed by the GOP to challenge Craig in November, a rematch of their 2020 contest. Craig won reelection by just over two points.
Evan Stambaugh
Evan Stambaugh is a freelance writer who had previously been a sports blogger. He has a BA in theology and an MA in philosophy.
