October 06, 2010 08:17 PM UTC

$750,000 Ad Buy Ties Golyansky Around Buck's Neck

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• by: Colorado Pols

Campaign Money Watch just announced this new TV spot, with a massive buy to answer the much-publicized spending of Karl Rove’s American Crossroads “Super PAC”–targeting GOP Senate candidate Ken Buck over the scandal, originally brought to light by Buck’s primary opponent Jane Norton, stemming from Buck’s actions to help gun dealer and Colorado conservative figure Gregory Golyansky. We knew that this ad was coming, but the huge size of the media buy here took us by surprise–and is welcome evidence for Democrat Michael Bennet’s supporters that the Colorado Senate race remains very much in play.

Full release from Campaign Money Watch follows, says Director David Donnelly, “Because of Ken Buck’s irresponsible actions, a corrupt gun dealer got off the hook-a gun dealer who has contributed to Buck’s Senate campaign. Coloradoans should wonder whether Ken Buck would let the special interests off the hook if he gets to Washington, D.C.”

TV Ad: Ken Buck’s Unethical Behavior Helped Gun Dealer; Gun Dealer Later Gave Campaign Money

$750,000 Ad Buy in Colorado Starts Today; Matches Rove-Led Group’s Attack Ad Against Sen. Bennet

Washington, DC– Campaign Money Watch, a nonpartisan campaign finance reform watchdog, launched a hard hitting major television ad campaign today to expose Colorado Senate candidate Ken Buck’s past ethical problems.

“Because of Ken Buck’s irresponsible actions, a corrupt gun dealer got off the hook-a gun dealer who has contributed to Buck’s Senate campaign,” said David Donnelly, director of Campaign Money Watch. “Coloradoans should wonder whether Ken Buck would let the special interests off the hook if he gets to Washington, D.C.”

The spot highlights how Ken Buck was reprimanded for unethical actions while working in the U.S. Attorney’s office. Buck, as a Senate candidate, has received campaign money from the same corrupt gun dealer who was charged with 37 felonies but convicted for only one misdemeanor.

The television spot takes direct aim: “Ken Buck’s misconduct let an illegal gun dealer facing 37 criminal charges off the hook,” the announcer says in the ad. “Now the same illegal gun dealer contributed money to Buck’s campaign.”

This six-figure ad campaign begins airing today on broadcast and cable television in the Denver market.

Ken Buck’s opponent, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), has co-sponsored the Fair Elections Now Act, legislation that would sever the ties between campaign contributors and members of Congress. Buck has not signed the Voters First Pledge to indicate he would support the legislation if elected.

The ad and documentation is available at www.campaignmoneywatch.com/kenbuck.

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Campaign Money Watch works to hold politicians who are against comprehensive campaign finance reform accountable for where they get their political donations.