BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Despite an election that is more than a year away, an attack ad is targeting NY-27 candidate Chris Jacobs.
The 60-second radio ad describes Jacobs as a "Rino Republican", meaning "republican in name only". It calls Jacobs a "total Rino" and criticizes him for Albany's pay raises while raising taxes for New Yorkers. The ad also said Jacobs refused to back Trump in 2016.
New York State GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy said he did not hear the ad but said it's disheartening to see a candidate go negative this early in the political process.
"I don't think that's the way to curry favor and be seen as someone who is trying to be a positive force within the Republican party," he said. "I would certainly urge people to talk about the merits of their own candidacy."
Similarly, political strategist Carl Calabrese said that Jacobs was targeted because he is considered the frontrunner now that David Bellavia announced he will not run for the vacant seat.
