Colorado Politics

McCain’s family upset he’s being ‘weaponized’ in GOP political ads

By Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner

The family of the late U.S. Sen. John McCain is disappointed in a new GOP political ad, according to a report.

“The McCain family believes it is unfortunate that the senator’s image is being weaponized this election season,” Julie Tarallo, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Republican’s family, told CNN Wednesday. “And they would hope there would be more respect, especially so soon after his passing.”

The ad, cut by the National Republican Congressional Committee, was released Wednesday. It attacks Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick, who is running in a tight race for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District. The seat is held by Rep. Martha McSally, who is vying to represent the state in the U.S. Senate.

The spot features clips of McCain criticizing Kirkpatrick’s positions on taxes and federal spending when the two were competing for a place in the Senate in 2016.

“In 2016, Senator McCain warned us,” the voiceover continues. “Arizona rejected Kirkpatrick before. It is time to do it again.”

The NRCC did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner, but told CNN the ad “speaks for itself.”

> RELATED: What they’re saying: Colorado, his family and the nation mourn John McCain

Another ad featuring McCain from the NRCC aired in Michigan on Wednesday, Politico reported. That spot hits Elissa Slotkin, a former Obama administration official seeking election in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, using footage from Senate testimony she provided in 2014.

McCain additionally appears in an ad supporting Democrat Tom Malinowski, who is contesting New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. McCain’s remarks were taken from Malinowski’s Senate confirmation to become U.S. assistant secretary of state during the Obama presidency.

Malinowski, however, asked McCain’s family for permission before adapting his statements.

> RELATED: ‘I was tied up at the time’: The wit and wisdom of John McCain (VIDEO)

McCain died Aug. 25 at the age of 81 from brain cancer.

FILE – In this Oct. 25, 2017 file photo, Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., pauses before speaking to reporters during a meeting of the National Defense Authorization Act conferees, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Senate has given final congressional approval to a $716 billion defense policy bill that would raise military pay by 2.6 percent, the largest pay hike in nine years. The bill is named after McCain, who is away from Congress battling brain cancer. McCain issued a statement after the vote saying he was proud of the bill and humbled that his colleagues named it after him. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
J. Scott Applewhite

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