WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are airing an ad linking a Nebraska Democrat to a convicted murderer in a commercial echoing the Willie Horton spot of the 1988 presidential race.
The ad criticizes congressional candidate Brad Ashford for supporting a law that cuts prison sentences for time served. The ad focuses on a black man, Nikko Jenkins, who committed four murders in 11 days.
The commercial says Ashford's support for the law allowed criminals like Jenkins to be released early.
Democrats on Friday demanded that the National Republican Congressional Committee pull the ad, calling it race-baiting.
Ashford is locked in a close race with Republican congressman Lee Terry.
In 1988, Republicans aired a commercial tying Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis to a black man, Willie Horton, who committed crimes while on a weekend furlough.
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