The impact of fentanyl on American families and the role of open border policies in its widespread circulation are the focal points of a new campaign ad by Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick. The 30-second spot features Blair County Sheriff Jim Ott, who shares his personal experience with fentanyl as both a law enforcement officer and a grieving father. Ott emphasizes the devastating consequences of the drug, stating that three high schoolers die from fentanyl every day. He then directly connects the issue to the open border policies, claiming that if the border was secure, his son might still be alive. By highlighting the connection between fentanyl deaths and lax border security, the McCormick campaign aims to pin the drug epidemic and its death toll on incumbent Senator Bob Casey.
Last year, fentanyl claimed the lives of 4,000 individuals in Pennsylvania. The McCormick campaign intends to hold Casey responsible for the drug crisis and its fatalities. Republican messaging has capitalized on the record-breaking illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border under the Biden administration, asserting that lax border security is a significant contributing factor to fentanyl deaths. The recent ad featuring Sheriff Ott serves as another attack in the heated Casey-McCormick race in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state where ad spending is expected to reach unprecedented levels.
The blame game surrounding fentanyl has now extended to the southern border. A political action committee supporting McCormick ran an ad linking Casey’s “open border policy” to fentanyl, drug dealers, and human traffickers. In a new campaign ad, Sheriff Ott makes a passionate plea to Senator Casey, questioning whether he would take decisive action if his own family had been affected by fentanyl. However, not all advocates fighting the fentanyl crisis place the blame solely on Casey. Last week, Casey hosted Gregory Swan, the founder of Fentanyl Fathers, at his Pittsburgh home, along with other families affected by the crisis. Swan’s group focuses on educating young people about the dangers of fentanyl and defends Casey’s record on the issue. They highlight the passage of the FEND Off Fentanyl Act as evidence of Casey’s commitment to combating fentanyl-related problems.
Despite this, Swan expresses concerns about the Democrats’ policy solutions, particularly regarding border security. He points out that the border is not secure and attributes the influx of migration to the increase in drug trafficking. Swan believes that strong action is necessary to tackle the cartels responsible for fentanyl distribution. McCormick proposes designating the cartels as terrorist organizations and utilizing military resources to dismantle them. This aggressive approach aligns with Swan’s call for someone with the courage to confront the cartels.
In conclusion, Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick’s campaign ad sheds light on the devastating impact of fentanyl on American families and criticizes open border policies for allowing the drug to flow freely. By featuring Sheriff Jim Ott, who shares his personal experience with fentanyl, the ad aims to connect the issue to Senator Bob Casey, suggesting that his weak stance on border security has contributed to the drug epidemic. However, not all advocates blame Casey for the crisis, as he has hosted individuals and families affected by fentanyl at his home and passed legislation targeting the manufacture and trafficking of the drug. Nevertheless, concerns remain regarding border security and the need for decisive action against the cartels responsible for fentanyl distribution. McCormick proposes a strong military response to tackle these criminal organizations.
