Support The Wire

Equity Forward Action launches six-figure ad buy targeting Cathy McMorris Rodgers

On Friday, Equity Forward Action, a “watchdog project” based out of New York City, announced a six-figure ad buy targeting 5th Congressional District Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers. The ad highlights the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance immigration policies and the thousands of children impacted by family border separations.

The political advertisement demands that Cathy McMorris hold the administration accountable and help return all of the children to their families.

“It’s time for McMorris Rodgers to use her leadership position to do something on this crisis,” said Mary Alice Carter, Executive Director of Equity Forward Action. “Congress has a responsibility to conduct oversight of the administration, but she’s yet to participate in a single hearing to hold HHS Secretary Alex Azar accountable.  Time after time, McMorris Rodgers has said, “Congress must act.” You are Congress. You are leadership. You should act.”

Equity Forward Action announced the ad a few days after Washington’s primary election revealed a tighter than expected race in the 5th Congressional District. Currently, McMorris Rodgers holds a 2.8-point lead over Democratic challenger Lisa Brown.

The ad also comes after Equity Forward Action released a poll which asked 5th CD voters their views on the border separations. According to the poll, 50 percent of voters say McMorris Rodgers hasn’t done enough on the issue of family separations, and 54 percent agreed with the statement that separating children is “inhumane and we should hold those responsible for it accountable.” Sixty-six percent of those polled (78% of Democrats, 82% of Independents, and 50% of Republicans) said they want Congress to increase the accountability and transparency of the agencies responsible for the separations.

In terms of legislation to address the border separations, 46 percent said they support legislation to immediately reunite the impacted families and 79 percent said they would have a more favorable view of McMorris Rodgers if she supported legislation to increase transparency on the issue. Also, 60 percent said they would be more favorable toward her if she supported legislation to stop the government from separating the children.

The poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group, surveyed 400 likely midterm voters in the 5th CD between July 24-26. The poll has a error of +/- 4.9 percent.

Equity Forward Action has released polling in seven other congressional districts focused on the border separations and this is their fourth TV ad.


Your support matters.

Public service journalism is important today as ever. If you get something from our coverage, please consider making a donation to support our work. Thanks for reading our stuff.