Political ads can be notorious for including misleading statements and campaign promises.
However, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) President Rand Hoch said the hypocrisy in the battle for the legislative seat representing District 93 just got turned up a notch.
Republican candidate Anne Gerwig is running attack ads on her incumbent opponent Katherine Waldron despite pledging in July she would refrain from negative campaigning.
“There’s no need to be anything but kind to someone who puts themselves out to run for office,” Gerwig said in July.
The attack ads called Waldron “wacky” and stated she “voted for sexually explicit books in grade schools and taxpayer-funded sex change operations for minors.”
The ad is referring to Waldron’s votes on SB 254 and HB 1069. However, PBCHRC said in a press release that the claims “blatantly mischaracterize” Waldron’s positions.
Nothing in HB 1069 requires placing or keeping sexually explicit books in grade schools, and SB doesn’t mandate taxpayer-funded sex change operations for minors, according to PBCHRC.
District 93 covers a large area of Wellington and some portions of Greenacres.
Gerwig has served in Wellington for 14 years, assuming roles such as mayor and Wellington Village Council member. She is a 33-year resident of District 93 and a 54-year resident of PBC. Voters will choose which of the two candidates they want to represent them on Nov. 5.
Hoch said Gerwig’s hypocrisy may backfire come election day.
“The Gerwig ads could end up tarnishing both candidates and may keep voters from supporting either candidate,” he said. “Fortunately, Katherine Waldron has been representing her constituents effectively for years and hopefully, people will focus on that when casting their ballots.”
The Gerwig campaign did not respond to OutSFL’s request for comment.
Gerwig’s tactics aren’t out of a fear of losing the seat, according to Hoch, but rather a “desperate” attempt to maintain a power status.
“Ego-driven term-limited candidates like Anne Gerwig want to hold onto power by any means possible,” he said. “So, despite pledging to run a positive campaign, she's gone rabidly negative.”
Gerwig is pandering to extreme anti-LGBTQ Republicans by taking this stance, according to PBCHRC. The organization also pointed out that the district she is running to lead has been protected against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation for years.
Despite his belief that the ads could harm both candidates, Hoch said Gerwig’s approach as a “desperate politician” should allow voters to see right through her hypocrisy.
“Gerwig is underestimating the intelligence of the voters and hopes she can get away with fooling them with these outrageous distortions,” he said. “Hopefully the media and the voters will hold Gerwig accountable.”
