LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — McConnell Senate Committee campaign manager Kevin Golden today released the following statement regarding Amy McGrath’s new cartoon:
“When the Kentucky coal miners who appeared in a false attack ad sent Amy McGrath a cease and desist, she simply replaced them with cartoon caricatures wearing MAGA hats. What a perfect metaphor for what McGrath really thinks of Kentuckians.”
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BACKGROUND:
Amy McGrath came under fire for exploiting two Kentucky coal miners in a false attack ad against Senator McConnell.
- “Two miners shown in a campaign ad for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath have sent a cease and desist letter demanding the campaign stop using their images” […] “said through an attorney that they were led to believe the footage was being used for a documentary for the Black Lung Association and that they ‘did not know and were never told they were being filmed for a political advertisement.’” (Lexington Herald-Leader, 9/5/2019)
- “Randy and Albrow felt that the trip was a success,” the letter states. “They deeply appreciated the warm receptions they received from a number of elected representatives who took the time to meet with the group, including Senator Mitch McConnell.” (Free Beacon, 9/5/2019)
- “Two coal miners featured in an attack ad against Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) from Democrat Amy McGrath said they were not told the footage would be used for a political ad and are demanding the campaign stop using their images.” (The Hill, 9/5/2019)
- “Miners’ attorney sends cease and desist letter to McGrath campaign following ad” (WKYT, 9/5/2019)
The coal miners are not the only ones who have asked to be removed from an Amy McGrath ad. Republican Governors Mike DeWine and Larry Hogan as well as the family of late Senator John McCain have asked for McGrath to remove their images from her false attack ads.
- “DeWine asks McGrath to keep him out of attack ads” (The Hill, 5/16/2020)
- “Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, another Republican in the ad who has received plaudits from members of both parties, also admonished McGrath” (The Hill, 5/16/2020)
- “Kentucky Senate candidate Amy McGrath is in hot water with John McCain’s family over using a clip of the late Republican senator to attack Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.” (Louisville Courier Journal, 6/10/2020)
- “I’m disappointed in @AmyMcGrathKY’s use of my late husband #johnmccain image in a partisan attack ad against his good friend @senatemajldr. John’s memory should be used promote common ground and civility not to stoke division.” (Cindy McCain Twitter, 6/9/2020)
Amy McGrath last year mocked Kentuckians during a nationally televised interview.
- “Matt Jones says McGrath’s interview with Samantha Bee mocks Kentuckians” (Louisville Courier Journal, 8/1/2019)
- “McGrath is featured in the six-minute segment surrounded by banjo music, horses, whiskey and fake Kentucky Fried Chicken buckets. The host narrates how her set is meant to make McGrath feel comfortable, with reminders of her ‘rich Bluegrass heritage.’” (Louisville Courier Journal, 8/1/2019)
- “‘It goes and showcases how when the national media talks about our state, they either always get it wrong or they’re trying to mock us,’ Jones said” (Louisville Courier Journal, 8/1/2019)
Senator Mitch McConnell is praised by unions for protecting health care and pension benefits for thousands of Kentucky coal miners and their families.
- In 2017, Senator McConnell led negotiations on bipartisan legislation to secure health care benefits for Kentucky coal miners and their families, and Leader McConnell’s language made it into the final legislation. (Louisville Courier Journal, 5/2/2017)
- Officials from the United Mine Workers praised Leader McConnell’s “decisive role” in ensuring health care benefits did not expire. (Lexington Herald-Leader, 5/1/2017)
- “Senate Democrats almost forced a government shutdown in December over the issue before McConnell worked out a four-month extension. McConnell had sought a one-year extension…” (Lexington Herald-Leader, 5/1/2017)
- Under Senator McConnell’s leadership, Congress approved legislation preventing the pension plan for 92,000 coal miners from running dry and expanding health care benefits for 13,000 miners. (WYMT, 12/19/2019)
- United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts: “And while words cannot truly express what retired miners and their families are feeling this day, I can say this: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s support was crucial to securing this legislation, and on behalf of America’s retired coal miners I thank him for his efforts to ensure this became a reality. We will never forget it.” (WHAS, 12/17/2019)