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Campaign Ads Create Rift In GOP Mayoral Race

City councilman and Republican mayoral candidate John Crawford is responding to new TV and mail advertisements from his primary opponent, local businessman Tim Smith.

In the first Republican mayoral debate between Crawford and Smith on March 7, the candidates expressed interest in a unified front against incumbent Democratic mayor Tom Henry, no matter who wins the primary.

That tone appears to have shifted, with an advertising push including a cartoon ad to Smith’s campaign Facebook page on April 12 and a mailer. It targets Crawford for what it says is a history of supporting tax increases while noting “harm” he’s done to Fort Wayne residents over two decades.

The TV ad in question can be seen below.

Crawford defended his track record, noting that votes to increase taxes have been difficult but agreed upon by a majority-Republican City Council, while also criticizing Smith’s “platitudes” and lack of hard policy proposals.

“It’s the simplistic thinking of a child with magical thoughts who believes he can pull money from his magic hat to pay for these needed investments in the city, and the citizens don’t have to pay for it,” Crawford said. “That, of course, is deliberately and intentionally misleading.”

Crawford warned that such attacks could divide the Republican Party in its effort to unseat Henry, while calling the timing of the ads “suspicious;” as the primary election is now three weeks from today.

Political scientist Andy Downs says that the ads are “eye-catching,” and uncommon for Fort Wayne races. But he adds that “negative” campaign ads could actually benefit the candidate publishing them because of the substance they can provide voters.

041619ADS2.mp3

“‘Negative’ commercials, or what people call ‘negative’ commercials and mailers, are often more fact-based and provide greater information for voters than just a traditional, ‘aren’t I a great person, please vote for me’ commercial and mailer,” said Downs.

The Republican primary between Crawford and Smith is slated for May 7. 

Zach joined 89.1 WBOI as a reporter and local host for All Things Considered, and hosted Morning Edition for the past few years. In 2022, he was promoted to Content Director.