By Mark Walker
SAN DIEGO — The conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity is wading into the 52nd Congressional District race more than a year before Election Day, funding a television ad calling for residents to call Rep. Scott Peters and demand the Affordable Care Act be replaced.
“Call Congressman Scott Peters,” a voice in the ad says. “Tell him Washington can do better than Obamacare.”
David and Charles Koch of Koch Industries are the primary funders of Americans for Prosperity, which is spending at least $200,000 to air the 30-second spot on network affiliate and cable channels over the next three weeks.
The ad does not reference any of Peters’ GOP opponents in 2014. Americans for Prosperity spokesman Chris Neefus said the group doesn’t endorse candidates.
“We just do issue advocacy and are highlighting that Peters is on the wrong side of this one,” Neefus said.
In addition to the TV spot, a mail and door-to-door campaign using paid and volunteer workers will be out in 52nd District neighborhoods in the coming days to deliver the same message, according to Jen Jacobs, an Americans for Prosperity consultant in San Diego.
In the television ad, a series of headlines relating to shortcomings in Obamacare and its rocky roll out are highlighted. A woman’s voice is then heard, asking, “What if later, bigger glitches prevent my family’s access to care?”
Peters, a freshman Democrat, narrowly edged Republican Brian Bilbray in the largely coastal district last November. He has three announced Republican challengers, former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio, former Marine Corps officer Kirk Jorgensen and surgeon Fred Simon.
Jorgensen and Simon are political newcomers. DeMaio was the first challenger to announce and his campaign has amassed more than $700,000. Peters has more than $800,000 in his account.
Original Link: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/oct/22/ad-peters-congressional-election/