Democrats Start to Hammer Vulnerable Republicans Over War in Iran in Ads

Key Points:

• Democratic-aligned group VoteVets Action Fund is launching a $250,000 ad campaign targeting Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin for his support of the war in Iran, highlighting the conflict as a political vulnerability for Republicans in the midterms.
• The ad contrasts the costs of the Middle East conflict with domestic economic issues, focusing on Van Orden’s backing of a $200 billion Pentagon funding push, while noting his opposition to sending U.S. ground troops into Iran.
• Public opinion polls show low support for the war, with over half of voters opposing military action in Iran and 61% disapproving of President Trump’s handling of the conflict, correlating with a decline in Trump’s approval ratings.
• VoteVets plans to run the ads across multiple media platforms, including during NCAA basketball games, and intends to target other Republican veterans in Congress with similar campaigns.
• Van Orden’s office condemned the ads, reaffirming his support for the military effort and emphasizing the value of American lives in the conflict against Iran.