The Tea Party Express, a division of Our Country Deserves Better PAC, has a new Web ad excoriating “Tea Party” candidate Scott Ashjian in the Nevada Senate race, accusing him of being a Democratic mole trying to help re-elect Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The ad has not been put on television just yet — but it could be soon.
Ashjian has registered as a candidate with an actual “Tea Party” label for the general election, rather than running in the Republican primary. Right-wing talk radio host and Tea Party Express spokesman Mark Williams tells Ashjian to “get lost.” “Dozens of Tea Party groups across Nevada have spoken out against your candidacy,” Williams says. “None of us has ever heard of you, or even seen you at a Tea Party rally. Nothing. We think you’re a fraud who’s trying to split the vote and help re-elect Harry Reid.”
Tea Party Express spokesman Levi Russell told TPMDC that the spot has only been released as a Web ad for now, but could be put on TV in the next week or two if Ashjian does not drop out. “If you want this on every station every ten minutes, go for it,” said Russell
Russell also raised the issue of Ashjian’s recent legal troubles, having been accused of writing bad checks, and speculated that Ashjian might have to drop out of the race. “With all of the controversy that’s been showing up as far as him as a candidate, I think it’s becoming more and more apparent that it’s basically impossible for him to become a serious competitor in this election,” said Russell. “Our guess is he’s going to drop out on his own, but we’ll be watching over the next couple of weeks.”
Ashjian could not be reached for comment.
Late Update: More on the charges against Ashjian here.
