Democrats and liberal dark money groups are continuing their lies, deceit, and shadowy practices to try and win races at the state and federal legislative level across Pennsylvania.
With two weeks out from the 2018 midterm election, these organizations are stooping to proven lies, false allegations, and smear tactics in order to try and sway voters.
In response, Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Val DiGiorgio, made the following statement:
“Democrat dark money groups like PA Fund for Change are doing everything they can and using every tactic in their dirty bag of tricks to try and win races across Pennsylvania.
“Being two weeks out from the 2018 General Election, Pennsylvania voters need to know that these organizations are using lies and distorting reality in order to paint a completely inaccurate picture of who these candidates are.
“As these events continue to occur, it is incumbent upon the news media and interested citizens to continue to fact-check these organizations and find out who is funding them in order to finally present the truth to the voters.”
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ADDENDUM
Here is a brief list of the lies, organizations, and truth in each of these races:
PA-01:
In the 1st Congressional District the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was recently called out by Factcheck.org for lying about Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s voting record on protecting those with preexisting conditions.
According to the fact check analysis, which can be read HERE, the DCCC’s ad is a lie:
“A DCCC ad against Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania’s 1st District cites three procedural votes in claiming the Republican lawmaker ‘voted against protecting people with preexisting conditions’…But Fitzpatrick, like Coffman, voted against the GOP health care bill.”
PA-16:
In the 16th Congressional District, the same analysis showed that the DCCC blatantly lied about Congressman Mike Kelly’s finances.
That analysis found:
“In Pennsylvania, the DCCC claims that Rep. Mike Kelly’s “net worth increased by millions” while in Congress. But the source DCCC cites show that Kelly’s net worth has gone down since he took office.”
In State General Assembly races in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth, shadowy group PA Fund for Change—an organization that has not filed campaign finance reports and is hiding the source of its money—along with institutional is running false ads against Republican candidates.
HD-158
In a mailer sent by the PA Fund for Change, Eric Roe is accused of collecting per diems. In fact, Eric Roe does not take per diems.
Additionally, in another mailer, Eric Roe is said to have received an “A” rating from the NRA. In fact, Eric Roe currently has a “D” rating according to their website.
HD-157
In a mailer funded by PA Fund for Change, Warren Kampf is accused of collecting per diems. In fact, Warren Kampf does not take per diems.
HD-167
In a mailer, Duane Milne is accused of voting to prevent victims from suing institutions like the Catholic Church for covering up sexual abuse. In fact, the amendment they cite is a motion to suspend the rules. Rep. Milne voted for the bill (HB1847) and it did no such thing.
HD-61
In a lie-filled TV ad funded by PA Fund for Change, Kate Harper was accused of standing with the NRA after the Parkland shooting when in fact the bill they reference as evidence was voted on before the shooting.Lie: Kate stood with the NRA after Parkland
In another lie-filled TV ad funded by PA Fund for change, Rep. Harper was said to have voted to criminalize abortion and ban abortion coverage even in a medical emergency to save a mothers life. The truth is that the bill referenced has an exception for “when an abortion is necessary to avert the death of the mother on certification by a physician”
Note: Both ads were eventually changed.
HD-151
In a television ad funded by PA Fund for Change filled with lies, Todd Stephens was said to have stood with the NRA after Parkland, when in truth, the bill they reference was voted on before the Parkland shooting.
In another lie-filled TV ad funded by PA Fund for change, Rep. Stephens was said to have voted to criminalize abortion and ban abortion coverage even in a medical emergency to save a mothers life. The truth is that the bill referenced has an exception for “when an abortion is necessary to avert the death of the mother on certification by a physician”
Note: Both ads were eventually changed.
HD-168
A mailer sent by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Rep. Chris Quinn is alleged to have voted to allow a highly combustible gas pipeline to be built next to an elementary school. In fact, Chris Quinn was no longer a Township Supervisor when the vote was taken. The vote referenced was allowed the ordinance to be considered and allowed for debate to begin.
HD-51
A mailer from former-Rep. Tim Mahoney falsely claims Rep. Matt Dowling said “The only thing I am worried about is my health benefits, $87,000/year salary and my $120,000 state funded expense account.” In truth, Rep. Dowling never said this and there is no citation.
Similarly, in a Facebook ad from Mahoney, Rep. Dowling is accused of taking per diems. However, he does not.
HD-163
A false TV ad, which was funded by PA Fund for Change (and ultimately changed due to the lies), falsely claimed Rep. Santora sold out local schools by voting for tax giveaways to oil and gas drillers, while local property taxes soared higher. In fact, Rep. Santora never voted for anything like that.
HD-165
A false TV ad, which was funded by PA Fund for Change (and ultimately changed due to the lies), falsely claimed Rep. Charlton sold out local schools by voting for tax giveaways to oil and gas drillers, while local property taxes soared higher. In fact, Rep. Charlton never voted on anything like. Additionally one of the citations used was an article dated 2015, which is over a year before Rep. Charlton was elected.