By Andrea Ciurej
(This article represents the opinions of the author, not the views of the UNO School of Communication)
Rep. Lee Terry Jr., R-Neb., opposes the use of personal attacks.
The National Republican Congressional Committee released a commercial that cited Democratic candidate Jim Esch’s drunk driving conviction from February 2001, but Terry Jr. didn’t authorize the contents provided by the commercial.
The commercial argued that Esch “used bad judgment when he endangered our families by driving under the influence of alcohol.”
Lee Terry Sr. said that it’s illegal for his son to even use this information and they weren’t going to use it.
While the NRCC ran the Esch ad, Esch ran an inaccurate campaign ad that stated the younger Terry “voted against extending healthcare coverage for veterans” and he “voted to cut veterans healthcare benefits by $6 billion.”
The campaign released a statement by Gen. Roger Lempke of the Nebraska National Guard that said Terry was in favor of veteran benefits.
“He has always shown interest and commitment to veteran issues, particularly those of the National Guard reserve,” Lempke said.
The elder Terry hasn’t been impressed with the Esch campaign.
“I’m upset with what I’ve seen,” he said.
In the final hours before the election, both campaigns will keep up with their advertisements, but the constant jabs make for a cutthroat campaign.
“It’s good politics,” he said.
