Senator releases new ad setting the record straight
Hackensack, NJ – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today stood with several prominent New Jersey women to issue a scathing response to greedy, CEO Bob Hugin’s blatantly false attack ads, calling his Republican opponent a “slimeball.” The Senator also released a new television ad that sets the record straight.
“These are lies. I know it, you know it, and Bob Hugin damn sure knows it,” said Sen. Menendez. “This deceitful and despicable attack ad tells you everything you need to know about Republican Bob Hugin, which is that he is a slimeball, misogynist and a liar. Bob Hugin is down in the polls, wrong on the issues, and desperate to distract the people of New Jersey about his own shameful record.”
Hugin’s false ad has since been independently debunked by the New York Times, USA Today, NJ Advance Media and Washington Post, the latter of which rated it four Pinocchios in its fact checker. Melanie Sloan, the former executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), who originally forwarded the false allegations to the FBI for further investigation, told NJ Advance Media: “It is pretty despicable of Menendez’s opponent to bring up stuff that is completely untrue.”
“Senator Menendez has been an ally of women his entire career and his record speaks for itself,” said Acting Governor Sheila Oliver. “For Bob Hugin to spend his millions, which he obtained in the most immoral manner, on ads that are straight up lies, is the lowest form of political campaigning in our American democracy. Shame on Bob Hugin for exposing New Jersey families to such blatant falsehoods. But have no doubt, voters will see through this desperation and re-elect Senator Menendez.”
The Menendez Campaign ad hitting the airwaves today calls out Bob Hugin for lying about the Senator.
TRANSCRIPT:
Announcer: Bob Hugin is lying about Bob Menendez.
Reporter: The FBI has found no evidence in this case.
Announcer: And Hugin knows it.
Reporter: It’s clear that someone was out to smear Menendez.
Announcer: Hugin was willing to do anything to get rich, including misleading cancer patients. Now he’s willing to do anything to get elected, including lying.
Reporter: One prostitute said she was paid to lie about Menendez.
Announcer: Bob Hugin is willing to anything, except tell the truth.
Reporter: FBI has found no evidence in this case.
Bob Menendez: I’m Bob Menendez and I approve this message, because it’s never mattered more.
Among those joining the Senator were State Senator Nellie Pou, Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez, Bergen County Freeholder Germaine Ortiz, Passaic Councilwoman Thania Melo, NJ Women’s March Founder Elizabeth Meyer, Deb Huber of the National Organization of Women (NOW) New Jersey chapter, and S. Nadia Hussein, South Asian women’s advocate.
Bob Menendez has been a champion for women’s rights. He voted for the equal pay law, passed the Violence Against Women Act and is the prime sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment. He cosponsored the CAMPUS SAVE Act, which addressed issues of sexual violence on college campuses and has actively fought against the Trump Administration’s rollback of campus sexual assault protections for survivors. Sen. Menendez fought to include the MOTHERS Act to combat postpartum depression as part of the Affordable Care Act, and opposed Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominees who would threaten to overturn Roe v. Wade. Sen. Menendez is proud of his 100% rating with Planned Parenthood, which provides women with safe, affordable healthcare options.
###