Democratic Westchester County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz has released an attack ad that slams his GOP opponent, Assemblyman Greg Ball, for the sexual assault and stalking complaints lodged against him by two different women.
Ironically, the Democrat is taking a page from the SRCC’s own playbook on this one.
“As SRCC spokesman Scott Reif said, Greg Ball has a ‘pattern of sexual misconduct towards women,’ and the ‘facts are the facts.’ We agree,” said Austin Shafran, spokesman for the DSCC.
Ball, who is viewed as something of a loose cannon in Albany, was not the Republicans’ first choice to run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Vincent Leibell (who is running for the post of Putnam County executive).
The minority conference vastly preferred Somers Towne Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy and invested some cash in her campaign, but Ball soundly defeated her in the Sept. 14 primary.
The spot, which was made by Jimmy Siegel, will start airing later today on News 12, CNN, MSNBC, FOX and a “full range” of others, Shafran said.
The Democrats are hopeful that Kapolwitz could be a pick-up for them, but if the trend of the GOP having enthusiasm on its side – thanks largely to the Tea Party – continues, then Ball’s base is definitely coming out on Election Day.
The 40th SD enrollment is as follows: 70,317 Democrats; 67,240 Republicans; 50,567 blanks.
UPDATE: There’s now a statement from Kaplowitz’s campaign spokesman, Josh Luger, too. It appears after the jump.
“This week alone, Assemblyman Ball refused to attend a forum on women’s health and reproductive rights – and he missed a debate sponsored by The League of Women Voters,” Luger said.
“Not only does he have an extreme and alarming record when it comes to his treatment of women, he’s too chicken to even debate women’s issues. The question isn’t where Assemblyman Ball stands on women’s issues – the question is why does Assemblyman Ball have an issue with women.”
“As SRCC spokesman Scott Reif said, Greg Ball has a ‘pattern of sexual misconduct towards women,’ and the ‘facts are the facts.’ We agree,” said Austin Shafran, spokesman for the DSCC.