Democrats use Iran war votes in campaign ads across 50 races

Democrats and allied advocacy groups are using votes on the Iran war in campaign advertisements to challenge Republicans and seek control of the House and Senate. The strategy began in the spring with repeated war powers resolutions intended to end the conflict.

In Wisconsin, an advertisement says Congressman Derrick Van Orden voted for the costly Iran war and rising gas prices. In Nebraska, Democrat Chris Backemeyer says Mike Flood voted six times for Trump's tariffs and the Iran war, adding about a thousand dollars a year to household costs.

“And Mike Flood opened the gates. Flood voted six times for Trump's tariffs and the Iran war, flooding us with higher prices on groceries, gas, cars and medicine, costing us a thousand dollars more a year.”

In Iowa, Vote Vets Action Fund says Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson voted five times for the Iran war, contributing to record gas and fertilizer prices. Some targeted Republicans have never served in Congress and could not have cast those votes.

An Associated Press analysis of AdImpact data examined broadcast, cable, and streaming ads from September 1 through October 14 in the most competitive midterm races. At least half of the 50 tossup or leaning races included Iran-related ads, most tied to cost-of-living concerns.

The ads aired on television more than 43,000 times and cost an estimated $42 million. The votes themselves had little practical effect but forced lawmakers to go on record.