With weeks remaining before the midterm elections, Democratic candidates and allied groups have launched a significant advertising campaign accusing Republicans of shielding pedophiles through their votes against releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein. According to analyses by CNN and the Washington Post, spending on Epstein-related advertisements has exceeded $35 million, with Democrats alone investing over $40 million across six key Senate races.
The ads feature various accusations tied to Republicans’ voting records on legislation to release the Epstein files. In Colorado, supporters of Democratic candidate Jessica Killin targeted Republican Jeff Crank for voting against file release, with an ad featuring family members of Virginia Giuffre stating Crank “covered up Epstein’s crimes.” Similar ads have appeared in Iowa targeting Ashley Hinson, in Georgia against Mike Collins, and in Florida aimed at Jimmy Patronis. Hinson responded with her own campaign advertisement directly addressing the accusations, stating she does not protect pedophiles.
Republican campaigns have disputed the characterizations in the ads, arguing they omit crucial context. Crank’s team stated his opposition was conditional on ensuring victim information remained properly redacted, and that he had offered to meet with Epstein victims before the vote. Hinson emphasized that while she voted against the discharge petition that attempted to bypass normal legislative procedures, she ultimately voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act once it reached the House floor. Patronis’s campaign clarified that he never called the investigation a “waste of time,” but rather described it as consuming significant resources.
Republicans have noted that nearly all House Republicans voted to approve the Epstein Files Transparency Act after former President Donald Trump reversed his initial opposition and gave lawmakers approval to support it. Critics argue many of the Democratic advertisements reference only Republicans’ opposition to earlier discharge petition attempts while omitting their subsequent support for the final legislation.
Some GOP groups have attempted to counter the narrative by accusing Democrats of accepting campaign donations from individuals with Epstein connections. In Georgia, Republican Mike Collins challenged his opponent Jon Ossoff over donations from tech billionaire Reid Hoffman, who has acknowledged knowing Epstein through fundraising relationships. In New Mexico’s gubernatorial race, an outside group released an ad claiming Democratic candidate Deb Haaland took flights and donations connected to Epstein; Haaland’s campaign stated she was unaware of the Epstein company’s ownership of a chartered flight she used in 2014.
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