JUDGE LISA FORBES “PEDDLING LIES” AD
View the ad:
Scary TV ads are peddling lies about me. Don’t let them distract you from what’s at stake: An Ohio Supreme Court that serves as a firewall for our freedoms. pic.twitter.com/n8O6CmsQv6
— Judge Lisa Forbes for Justice (@Forbes4Justice) October 24, 2024
Ad Text: Lisa Forbes says, “My opponents’ big corporate backers are peddling lies about me, hoping to make you afraid. They want to distract and divide us so that we’ll look the other way while they attempt to take over the Ohio Supreme Court. I’m an appeals court judge. I’m highly rated and widely endorsed because of my extensive experience in the law and fair, well-reasoned rulings. The only things they have to attack on are lies. Reject the lies! Reject the fear. Reject the division. Put me on the court, and I’ll protect your rights and the rule of law. Vote Lisa Forbes for Ohio Supreme Court.”
The accompanying X post reads: “Scary TV ads are peddling lies about me. Don’t let them distract you from what’s at stake: An Ohio Supreme Court that serves as a firewall for our freedoms.”
Ad referenced: “We Aren’t Safe” from Ohioans for a Healthy Economy Action Fund, an affiliate of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce
Article referenced: GOP extremists are targeting Ohio Supreme Court’s Democrats this election cycle. If they succeed, watch out: Brent Larkin, Cleveland.com, June 16, 2024
Candidate Ratings referenced: Judge4Yourself – The Asian American Bar Association, the Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and The Norman S. Minor Bar Association rated Lisa Forbes “excellent.” The Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association rated Forbes “good.” Forbes’ opponent, Dan Hawkins, refused to participate in interviews with any of the organizations.
Who's responsible for this ad?
This is a traditional candidate ad paid for by the Forbes for Justice committee. From Jan. 2023 to September 2024, Lisa Forbes’ campaign committee has received over half a million dollars ($729,161.55 including monetary and in-kind donations). In the September 2024 report, her campaign reported having $607,498 available to spend in the race. To see contributions to candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. Examine top donations here.
Discussion and Analysis
Analysis from Thomas Nelson, Professor of Political Science, The Ohio State University. Professor Nelson’s research focuses on political psychology and American politics.
This low-budget ad shows Forbes outdoors in front of what looks to be a modern office or municipal building. She speaks directly to the camera in one long take, followed by a slightly closer view. There are a few simple graphics at the top of the screen, including the word LIES in red boldface superimposed over the ad that Forbes is reacting to. The tall, narrow aspect of the video and plain graphics make it look like it was shot and edited on a cell phone.
The ad was put together quickly to provide an immediate response to the “We Aren’t Safe” attack ad. Campaign wisdom dictates that attacks should not be allowed to linger, but must be swiftly and forcefully rebutted. Forbes uses a familiar trope by stating that the attack was funded by her “opponent’s big corporate backers.” By discrediting the messenger, Forbes hopes to discredit the message. By speaking calmly and directly, Forbes tries to undermine the attack ad’s portrayal of her as a scary radical. The claim that the “We Aren’t Safe” ad is “peddling lies” rests on the attack ad’s use of guilt-by-association to connect Forbes to two sitting justices running for re-election. Forbes was not involved in the decisions that “We Aren’t Safe” criticizes.