A Democrat-funded mailer is now the source of why two parents, who lost children in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, are demanding an apology. The mailer depicted children, a teacher, and a Republican candidate on shooting targets.
In a Senate District 3 race, Republican candidate Corey Simon faced Democrat incumbent Loranne Ausley. It has been reported that the images of a mailer, which on one side portrays Simon on a shooting target. The other side has pictures of school children and a teacher in front of shooting targets with bullet holes.
The mailer was paid for by the Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. The Committee is led by Sen. Lauren Book.
Andrew Pollack, who lost his daughter Meadow in the 2018 school shooting, called out Democrats Sen. Lauren Book, Sen. Loranne Ausley, Sen. Janet Cruz, and candidate Janelle Perez.
“This is not okay. This is never okay. You wrap your arms around Parkland for photo ops then treat children like political pawns,” Pollack Tweeted.
Ryan Petty’s daughter Alaina died in the same school shooting as Meadow. Since then, Petty has advocated for policies for school safety. He was also appointed to the Florida State Board of Education in January 2020. He serves on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission.
“Disgusting. Shame on you. Shame on those that funded this,” Petty said. “This ad says more about you than it does about your political opponents.”
The Daily Wire reports:
The ad labeled Simon an “extremist” and claimed that his policies in support of the 2nd Amendment would lead to more gun violence and more school shootings.
“I’m asking for to apologize to the Parkland families,” Petty told The Daily Wire on Sunday.
He shared a tweet calling for her apology on Friday, sharing photos of the offending mailer.
“@LoranneAusley you must apologize immediately. This is wrong and you should have known better. Your constituents deserve better than this,” he said.
.@LoranneAusley you must apologize immediately. This is wrong and you should have known better. Your constituents deserve better than this. pic.twitter.com/Mme2YEvhbb
— Ryan Petty (@rpetty) October 7, 2022
Two days later, he noted that she still had not offered an apology for the ad. “Still waiting,” he said.
Still waiting… https://t.co/deJ7STmQuM
— Ryan Petty (@rpetty) October 9, 2022
Javon Price — who previously worked for Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) — responded to the ad as well, saying, “I find it disgraceful that Democrats like @Lorane Ausley think it’s okay to mail out campaign material with @csime90’s face on a target to shoot & that the media refuses cover stuff like this.”
I find it disgraceful that Democrats like @LoranneAusley think it’s okay to mail out campaign material with @csime90’s face on a target to shoot & that the media refuses cover stuff like this!
The hate Black conservatives face from the Left and the media is unreal pic.twitter.com/8mLsl5kzEm
— Javon A. Price 🇺🇸 (@JavonAPrice) October 3, 2022
Christina Pushaw, Rapid Response Director for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (who has endorsed Simon), responded as well, adding, “I agree, this is sick and appalling. WAY over the line, especially with recent incidents of political violence in our country. What’s even worse is that Tallahassee media, including @JimRosicaFL & @fineout, see nothing wrong with this … because Loranne Ausley is a Democrat?”
I agree, this is sick and appalling. WAY over the line, especially with recent incidents of political violence in our country.
What's even worse is that Tallahassee media, including @JimRosicaFL & @fineout, see nothing wrong with this… because Loranne Ausley is a Democrat? https://t.co/dsiKKIITR4
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) October 3, 2022
Republican State Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, called on Florida Senate Democrat Leader Lauren Book to denounce the mailer. Republican Party of Florida Chairman Joe Gruters also said the ad puts “Corey Simon and others’ safety at risk.”
Republican Rep. Webster Barnaby and GOP nominee for state Rep. Berny Jacques released a joint statement. They stated that the “divisive” and “ignorant” use of a black man on a shooting target “has no place in civil political discourse.”
Sources: DailyWire, City & State
