Liberal Ads Use Brewer, Arpaio to Motivate Latinos to Vote

NDN, formerly called the New Democrat Network, is running Spanish-language ads in Arizona urging Latinos to vote in the midterm elections. Their pitch? Latinos should vote to make a statement to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the controversial head law enforcement officer of Maricopa County, that they have “had enough” of anti-illegal immigration policies. “Since Arpaio started with his raids, and since Brewer took over the governorship, each morning I look in the mirror and see myself as their Mr. Scapegoat,” a man says in one ad. “That’s what they have done for you and me. Even though we are Americans!”

The ads, which will also run in Las Vegas and Denver, are meant to capitalize on anger by Latinos at a rash of harsh anti-immigration statements by Republican politicians. In addition to Arizona’s recent efforts to curb illegal immigration through its contested SB 1070 immigration law, Republican politicians have released a spate of ads attacking their opponents for immigration policy using images of Latinos, leading to charges of racism.

While Latinos largely identify as Democrats, recent nationwide polls indicate registered Latino voters have lower enthusiasm for this election than voters overall. Other progressive organizations have also rallied behind immigration causes to try to mobilize Latino voters. Immigrants rights groups purchased Spanish-language ads in a number of states tying the Republican Party to anti-immigrant fear-mongering.