Club for Growth affiliate attacks Kansas GOP gubernatorial candidate in $2M ad buy

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An affiliate group of the conservative Club for Growth Action rolled out a new ad Wednesday attacking Republican Kansas gubernatorial candidate Vicki Schmidt ahead of this summer’s primary.

“Hard work, no handouts. That’s the Kansas way. So why did Vicki Schmidt vote the wrong way? Allowing illegal aliens to receive public benefits. Giving away our hard-earned tax dollars. Rewarding lawbreakers, fleecing Kansans,” a narrator said in a 30-second ad released by the political group School Freedom Fund and shared first with The Hill.

“That’s the Vicki Schmidt way. Like when Schmidt voted to give in-state tuition to illegal aliens,” the narrator continued. “Letting freeloaders feed off of the public trough. Illegals first, Kansans last. That’s Vicki Schmidt.”

The School Freedom Fund’s ad, whose group supports school choice, is part of a broader $2 million ad campaign set to air in the Kansas City and Topeka media markets.

Schmidt is running in a crowded GOP primary for Kansas governor to replace term-limited Gov. Laura Kelly (D). The race is seen as a key pickup opportunity for Republicans in November.

President Trump has backed Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R) in the Aug. 4 contest.

The School Freedom Fund’s ad alludes to several votes Schmidt, the current Kansas Insurance Commissioner and a former state senator, took on amendments in 2008.

An amendment offered by then-state Sen. Tim Huelskamp (R) proposed, “An alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible to receive any state or local public benefit from any state, county or local government entity in the state of Kansas, except for state or local public benefits that are required to be offered by” law.

Another amendment was offered that would have barred immigrants without proper documentation from seeking legal status in order to obtain in-state tuition rates. Both amendments failed, with Schmidt voting against both.

“Vicki Schmidt has spent her career putting illegal aliens and teacher unions ahead of Kansas families,” School Freedom Fund President David McIntosh said in a statement.

“If you call yourself a Republican and oppose school freedom, expect to lose an expensive primary. School Freedom Fund is ready to invest whatever it takes to expose Schmidt’s liberal record and defeat her in August.”

In a statement responding to the ad, Schmidt campaign spokesperson Mandy Roe suggested the outside spending was an indication that the campaign was gaining traction.

“Vicki’s message of making Kansas more efficient, more accessible and less costly is resonating with everyday Kansans — making the bought and paid for candidates concerned about their path,” Roe said.

“In 2008, the repeal of this policy was widely opposed by Kansans in every corner of our state including: the Kansas Catholic Conference, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Livestock Association, the Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association, the Wichita Independent Business Association, the Kansas Contractors Association, the League of Municipalities and dozens more,” she continued.

“As Governor, Vicki will support efforts to deport violent criminals and drug dealers to help keep our communities safe,” Roe added.

Given the Sunflower State’s political leanings, the winner of August’s Republican primary for governor will have the edge heading into November.

Updated at 2:30 p.m. EDT.

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