In Maryland's upcoming Democratic primaries, two Baltimore-area delegates, Hasan “Jay” Jalisi and Frank Conaway Jr., are facing a wave of attack advertisements funded by a political action committee (PAC) linked to national sports betting companies.
The PAC, known as American Future, has reportedly spent nearly $1.9 million in Maryland's primary elections, a significant amount for state legislative races. The ads against Jalisi and Conaway are not being financed by their political opponents but by this super PAC, which is backed by major sports gambling firms including DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics.
American Future aims to support candidates who align with its interests in expanding sports betting, which is already legal in 35 states following a 2018 Supreme Court ruling. The PAC's funding originates from another entity, Win for America, which contributed $41 million to support its efforts.
Jalisi, who has previously served two terms in the General Assembly, is facing criticism in the ads for his past legal and ethical issues, including a reprimand from his colleagues after an investigation found he mistreated staff. He has also faced allegations from his daughter that led to a protective order against him. The ads label him as “Maryland’s Worst Democrat,” highlighting his voting record on issues such as abortion funding and spousal rape legislation.
Conaway, on the other hand, is being targeted for his votes that diverged from the Democratic majority, including support for policies aligned with the Trump administration. The ads accuse him of siding with Republicans on immigration enforcement issues.
Both delegates have expressed concern over the influence of outside money in local races. Jalisi's attorney has filed a complaint alleging that the PAC is violating state campaign finance laws by failing to disclose its donors. Conaway noted his surprise at the scale of the campaign against him, indicating the significant impact of the super PAC's spending.
As the primaries approach, the role of PACs in shaping the electoral landscape in Maryland continues to draw scrutiny, particularly as they leverage substantial financial resources to sway voter opinions.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
0 Comments
Log in to join the conversation.