This GOP Ad Is Already Being Dubbed the New ‘Willie Horton’

In the midst of a tight U.S. House race in Nebraska, the Republicans released a new ad Friday targeting the Democratic challenger for his support of a law that allowed a convicted felon to serve only half of his prison sentence.

Nebraska convict Nikko Jenkins was released early in 2013 as a result of “Good Time” laws allowing for good behavior reductions in sentencing. He had been serving time for an armed robbery and assault conviction. Several months after his early release, he was caught and convicted on four counts of first-degree murder.

Because State Sen. Brad Ashford — the Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican Lee Terry — supported that “Good Time” law, the GOP released the ad prominently featuring Jenkins.

“Brad Ashford supported the ‘good time’ law and still defends it, allowing criminals like Nikko Jenkins to be released early,” the 30-second TV spot stated, while tying Ashford to a menacing-looking Jenkins by putting their images side-by-side.

“The ad is risky for Republicans,” Washington Examiner columnist Becket Adams noted. That is, it

will either serve its purpose, annihilating voter confidence in Ashford ahead of the Nov. 4 elections, or it will be attacked for “going nuclear” with supposed racial undertones. Note how much the ad shows Jenkins, an African-American.”

Adams recounted how Republicans faced similar allegations of racism in 1988 when a pro-GOP PAC ran its infamous “Willie Horton” ad against Democratic presidential opponent Michael Dukakis. Critics suggested the ad was subtly using race to frighten voters.

Over at Salon, deputy politics editor Luke Brinker made a similar connection, but outright declared “Nikko” the “the worst race-baiting campaign ad since Willie Horton.”

In a statement to the Examiner, the National Republican Congressional Committee defended the ad: “Brad Ashford’s dangerous record on crime is fair game. Nebraska voters deserve to know that Brad Ashford supports policies that have made them less safe.”

Watch the ad below and decide for yourself:

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