Amy Brown, the wife of Republican Senate candidate Sam Brown, has come to his defense against attack ads by his opponent, Dr. Jeffrey Gunter. The ads have been described as “vile” for accentuating Brown’s scars, which were sustained in an IED explosion during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2008. Amy Brown emphasized that her family views Sam’s scars as a physical testament to his strength, bravery, and sacrifice for the country. She criticized Gunter for attacking a veteran’s physical disfigurement for political gain, calling it low and disgusting.
The ads being run by Gunter, a dermatologist and former U.S. ambassador to Iceland under President Trump, refer to Sam Brown as “Scam Brown” and depict him as “the newest creature to emerge from the swamp,” linking him to establishment Republican figures like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. National Republicans supporting Brown have condemned the ads as going too far. Gunter defended the ads by stating they were about Brown’s ties to the Washington, D.C. “swamp” and the appearance of politicians featured in the ads with scaly skin was symbolic.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) communications director, Mike Berg, denounced Gunter for mocking the wounds of a veteran who was injured while serving the country. Gunter, on the other hand, maintained that his ads were not personal attacks but rather criticisms of Brown’s connections to the political elite in Washington, D.C. He argued that candidates should be open to criticism and not shy away from being held accountable. The conflict between Gunter and Brown intensified as Gunter announced plans to invest millions in his campaign, including attacking Brown, with the primary election set for June 11.
Gunter pointed out that Brown has used his own injuries in his campaign messaging, referring to himself as “Burning Man” and frequently mentioning the attack that led to his scars. Gunter defended the use of Brown’s photos in the ads, claiming that showing them was not an attack but a legitimate campaign tactic. He accused Brown of prioritizing D.C. lobbyists and the political elite over the needs of Nevada’s working families. The NRSC sees Brown as the best candidate to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen in the upcoming November election.
The exchange of attack ads between Gunter and Brown reflects the contentious nature of the Republican primary race in Nevada. Amy Brown’s defense of her husband highlights the personal and emotional toll that such political attacks can have on candidates and their families. Gunter’s ads have sparked outrage among Republicans for seemingly targeting a veteran’s physical injuries. Despite the ongoing conflict, both candidates are vying for the opportunity to represent the Republican party in the upcoming Senate race.
