Commentary

Shaheen Readies Radio Ad Attacking Brown For Not Signing Anti-PAC Pledge

New Hampshire U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen plans to air a radio ad starting on Monday blasting possible challenger Scott Brown for his refusal to sign a pledge aimed at discouraging political ads by special interest groups.

The ad is the latest move in what could prove to be an extremely nasty and expensive battle between the two candidates.

Brown, a Republican, lost his U.S. Senate seat in neighboring Massachusetts to Elizabeth Warren in 2012. He shifted his residency to New Hampshire last year and recently announced that he is exploring the possibility of running against Shaheen, a Democrat. 

In their latest public volley, Shaheen has accused Brown of reversing his stance on the so-called "People's Pledge," which is intended to keep powerful special interest groups out of local elections. Brown signed the pledge during his run against Warren but said recently that he would not do so in a run against Shaheen.

Shaheen's radio ad asserts: "Tell Scott Brown to sign. It was the right thing to do in Massachusetts, and it's the right thing to do here. New Hampshire deserves a clean election, too."

Brown has said that it's too late in the game to make such a pledge, as outside groups have already aired ads in the state.

It should also be noted that Brown isn't the only Republican vying for Shaheen's seat. Other potential contenders include former U.S. Sen. Bob Smith and former state Sen. Jim Rubens.

According to reports, the Warren-Brown race ended up being the second most costly senate race in U.S. history. At the rate Shaheen and Brown are going, they could end up topping that.




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