RICHMOND — A Republican running for Virginia governor in the style of President-elect Donald Trump will launch the first TV ads of the race on Inauguration Day with a 30-second spot on Fox News.
His campaign later specified that the cost is about $15,500.
Slated to air during "inaugural festivities," the ad makes no mention of the three GOP rivals that Stewart faces in the June 13 GOP primary. Instead, it plays up his conservative record as chairman of Prince William's Board of County Supervisors.
YouTube
Titled “Courage,” the spot opens with an image of term-limited Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) surrounded by the wobbling, disembodied heads of President Obama, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and the two Democrats competing to succeed McAuliffe, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and former representative Tom Perriello.
“Who will take back Virginia from McAuliffe’s crooked liberal gang?” a narrator begins. “Stewart. Corey Stewart. The outspoken, blue-county conservative who keeps beating liberals again and again. How? By not giving them an inch. Stewart’s conservative record: low, stable taxes; solid economic growth; zero tolerance for illegals.”
The ad makes no mention of Stewart’s connection to Trump, although it is something he plays up on the campaign trail. He was chairman of Trump’s Virginia campaign for most of 2016. He was ousted shortly before Election Day for his role in an unauthorized protest at Republican National Committee headquarters.
Stewart’s three rivals for the Republican nomination are: Ed Gillespie, a GOP strategist and counselor to then-President George W. Bush; state Sen. Frank W. Wagner (R-Virginia Beach); and Denver Riggleman, owner of a Nelson County distillery.
