DAN HAWKINS “SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT” AD
View the ad:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBRRaNEN3eH/?igsh=ZG45eThuODR3OWlk
Ad Text: Teneeya Hale, abuse victim says, “When I first met Dan Hawkins, he was a part of the Special Victims Unit. I was sexually abused by my then step dad. I met Dan because he was the prosecutor on my case and he was there to be a support system for me, making sure that I was safe, making sure that I felt supported. I don’t know where I’d be today without Dan Hawkins. He’s like a part of our family.”
The accompanying Instagram post reads: “Dan Hawkins has touched the lives of countless individuals in Ohio. Teneeyah’s story, while tragic, is one of hope in the face of evil. Judge Hawkins is honored to serve the people of this great state.”
Who's responsible for this ad?
This is a traditional candidate ad paid for by the Hawkins for Ohio committee. From Jan. 2023 to September 2024, Dan Hawkins’ campaign committee has received over half a million dollars ($777,036.17) including monetary and in-kind donations). In the September 2024 report, his campaign reported having $679,994.80 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
Context provided by Jessica Dickinson, Outreach and Engagement Manager, Ohio Fair Courts Alliance
In this ad, Dan Hawkins is highlighting his personal experience as a prosecutor by sharing one victim’s story to demonstrate he’s a caring individual. This personal approach suggests that the candidate will care about Ohioans if he’s elected to the Ohio Supreme Court. Despite the seriousness of the topic, the ad sets out a more casual tone with the speaker referring to Hawkins by his name, instead of his title at that time, Prosecutor Hawkins, or his current title, Judge Hawkins, as he is a judge on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
The ad also shows him and the speaker sitting across from one another, portraying a warmer image rather than a “tough on crime” one that is frequently used in political ads when touting someone’s courtroom experience. While the “tough on crime” tactic isn’t used here, the ad suggests that former prosecutors make good judges. By highlighting the candidate’s relationship with the victim – “he’s like family – the ad portrays Hawkins as someone trustworthy.