I Agree to See

The Web's Largest Political Ad Library

I Agree to See

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

I agree to follow
  • Watch
    • Latest Political Ads Happening Now
    • Hilarious Political Late Night Clips
    • WWI and WWII Propaganda
    • Ads From the Past
    • Speeches
  • Latest Elections
    • 2018 Elections
    • 2017 Elections
    • 2016 Presidential Election
    • 2016 Congressional Elections
    • Browse All
  • PSA’s
  • Blog
    • Blog: I Approve This Message
    • Political Blogroll
  • FAQ
    • The Campaign Brain
    • 2016 Presidential Election
    • Political Trivia
    • Campaign and Election Terms
  • Submit Your Ad
    • Candidate Connect
    • California Candidates
    • Build Your Profile
  • About Us
    • FAQ About Us
    • I Agree to See: Internship
  • Subscribe

Rob Portman’s First TV Ad Tackles Local Heroin Crisis

Posted on
June 2, 2016
by Agree Staff
Republican Senator Rob Portman certainly hopes that the old adage, “all politics is local,” rings true for Ohio voters. The first TV ad of his Senate reelection bid concentrates on an issue of local importance: the heroin epidemic.

In the ad, Portman speaks directly to the camera about this serious issue, informing us, “More than 25 Ohioans are dying every week from drug overdoses. Heroin addiction’s become an epidemic that’s sweeping across our communities, destroying lives and tearing families apart.”

Portman cites the work he has done in the Senate to combat the problem. He alludes to The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act bill he co-sponsored as “legislation to help break the grip of addiction.” A headline from the Columbus Dispatch reads “Senate passes Portman anti-heroin bill by 94-1 vote.” He then offers additional solutions, suggesting, “By investing in prevention, treatment and recovery; empowering law enforcement; and stopping the over-prescribing of painkillers, we can turn the tide.”

The issue is a recurring theme of Portman’s campaign. A couple months ago, the Portman campaign released a video highlighting the senator’s work on the issue. Now, “Wildfire” is one of three TV ads the campaign is airing on heroin addiction: “Gina” features a young woman who is a recovering heroin addict, while “Tyler” features a father who lost his son to the heroin epidemic.

A Local Issue – Around the Country

While the heroin epidemic is an issue that has devastated local communities, that has been the case in places across the country. Candidates of every party and running at every level have voiced concerns on the issue.

For example, Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman produced a powerfully moving ad that demonstrated the impact of drug addiction on local communities. Meanwhile, one of Jeb Bush’s best moments on the campaign trail came when he shared the emotional story of his daughter’s struggle with drug addiction. Portman’s colleague, New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte, has also touted her work on the crisis.

Bipartisanship?

The Cincinnati Enquirer makes an observation about something missing from Portman’s ad: “Two things the ads don’t mention: Portman’s party affiliation and his Democratic foe, former Gov. Ted Strickland.” Indeed, in the ad Portman mentions “working together with Democrats and Republicans” to pass the anti-heroin bill.

How come? It could be that Portman has chosen to start positive because he faces an unusual problem for an incumbent Senator: nearly half of Ohio voters don’t know enough about him to form an opinion. With such low name ID, this is a fresh chance to introduce himself to voters.

Or it could be because he knows his allies – including the NRSC, Ohio GOP, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce – are already hammering his opponent Ted Strickland.

Or perhaps, Portman is regretting his endorsement of Donald Trump and hoping to avoid being tied to the Republicans’ polarizing presidential nominee.

According to reports, the three ads are part of $15 million in ad reservations the campaign previously announced and will run statewide. Stay tuned to I Agree to See for more clues as to Portman’s reelection strategy as the campaign progresses.
  • Previous
  • |
  • Next
I agree to follow

Trending

  • Kirsten Gillibrand Anti-Trump
    Kirsten Gillibrand Launches First Anti-Trump Ad of 2020 Campaign

    Desperate for a boost as she lags in the polls, presidential candidate...

    More
  • State Senate sarah mcbride video
    Transgender Activist Sarah McBride Announces Run for State Senate Focusing on Issues, Not Identity

    Transgender activist Sarah McBride, who rose to national prominence af...

    More
  • astronaut mark kelly arizona senate gabby giffords mark kelly us senate arizona
    Astronaut Mark Kelly Launches Bid for Arizona Senate, With Help from Gabby Giffords

    Mark Kelly entered the Arizona Senate race against incumbent Martha Mc...

    More
  • tulsi gabbard 2020 presidential campaign announcement tulsi gabbard official presidential campaign
    Tulsi Gabbard Brings “Love and Aloha” to the 2020 Presidential Campaign

    In the run-up to her 2020 presidential campaign entry, Hawaii Rep. Tul...

    More
  • kamala harris 2020 campaign announcement kamala harris for president
    Kamala Harris Makes It Official

    Sen. Kamala Harris entered the 2020 Democratic presidential primary wi...

    More
  • larry hogan 2020 presidential campaign republican challengers to trump 2020 republican candidates
    Is This Inauguration Video from Larry Hogan a Step Towards Running Against Trump in the GOP Primary?

    Politico’s report that Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is c...

    More
  • kamala harris mood mix stephen colbert kamala harris 2020 presidential campaign
    Kamala Harris Offers Her “Mood Mix” to Stephen Colbert

    The “Colbert Primary” is off and running, as several Democ...

    More
  • cory booker 2020 presidential campaign announcement video nike cory booker 2020
    Cory Booker Starts 2020 Race With Gangbusters Video

    Sen. Cory Booker jumped into the 2020 Democratic presidential primary ...

    More
  • lizzie fletcher voted for nancy pelosi republicans attack democrats who voted for nancy pelosi
    Republicans Slam Democratic Frosh Who Voted For Nancy Pelosi

    The House GOP-affiliated Super PAC Congressional Leadership Fund waste...

    More
  • Who is happy that donald trump is president
    Liberal Group Asks: Who’s Happy That Trump is President?

    A little known liberal group called Future Forward USA Action is airin...

    More
  • barack obama eric holder redistricting barack obama redistricting barack obama gerrymandering eric holder gerrymandering barack obama is back
    Obama is Back … and Ready To Tackle Partisan Gerrymandering

    Former President Barack Obama is putting his considerable prestige beh...

    More
  • the koch brothers tax reform bill donald trump tax reform koch brothers how the koch brothers sell tax reform gop tax bill charles koch david koch paul ryan tax reform donald trump
    How the Koch Brothers Sell Tax Reform: A Guide

    It was a balmy August afternoon in 2015, when Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, ...

    More
  Speakeasy Digital Ads I agree to see

Recent posts

  • Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Makes Star Turn on “The Bachelorette”
  • Speedos: Which Maine Senate Nominee Wore Them Best?
  • The Top 10 Senate Races to Watch in 2018
  • The Top 10 House Races to Watch in 2018
  • Wikileaks Slid into Don Jr.’s DMs and Tried to Finesse Donald Trump’s Tax Returns

Comments Below

Recent Posts

  • Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Makes Star Turn on “The Bachelorette”
  • Speedos: Which Maine Senate Nominee Wore Them Best?
  • The Top 10 Senate Races to Watch in 2018
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Staff
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms
© 2018 I Agree to See is a project by Storefront Political Media
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise on the Campaign Exchange
  • Our Staff