ASSOCIATED PRESS
SALISBURY, Md. | The ordinary citizens in Andy Harris’ television advertisement are worried about Mr. Harris’ Democratic opponent, Frank Kratovil. He’s a “big spender,” a woman says. He’s “too liberal,” says a man.
Funny thing is, those two people used those exact words in an earlier ad attacking Mr. Harris’ opponent in the Republican primary for Maryland’s 1st Congressional District — Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest.
They’re seen wearing the same clothing and speaking in the same locations. Even the camera angles are the same.
“I think it’s disingenuous or deceptive to have people answer questions about Wayne Gilchrest and apply their answers to Frank Kratovil,” said Kevin Lawlor, the Democrat’s campaign manager. “Not only are they retreading the same strategy, they are pulling the same old clips.”
Chris Meekins, Mr. Harris’ campaign manager, confirmed to the Salisbury Daily Times that the unnamed people in the ads are the same. But he declined to say whether the footage was new or was shot before the February primary.
“The core issue is that Frank Kratovil is a liberal,” he said. “That’s the message, that he and Gilchrest are two tax-and-spend liberals.”
Mr. Harris, a conservative state senator, defeated Mr. Gilchrest, a moderate who has held the seat since 1991, in a three-way Republican primary. Mr. Gilchrest has endorsed Mr. Kratovil, the Queen Anne’s County state’s attorney.
Campaign finance reports released Wednesday showed that Mr. Kratovil raised about $44,000 more than Mr. Harris between July and September, but Mr. Harris had $749,060 in cash on hand, compared with $517,602 for his opponent.
The district, which includes the entire Eastern Shore and parts of central Maryland, is almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.
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