Bob Harvie hits at Trump and ICE in year’s first campaign ad ahead of likely race against Brian Fitzpatrick
Earlier this week, Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie was added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue" list.
Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie on Thursday released his first campaign ad of the year ahead of the May 19 Democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District.
Harvie will face grassroots candidate and climate policy expert Lucia Simonelli in the primary, but the commissioner’s ad is squarely focused on a matchup U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Bucks) in the fall.
“Bob Harvie’s the trusted Democrat who will take the fight to Fitzpatrick and win,” the ad says.
The ad highlights Harvie’s vote in February to oppose immigration detention or processing facilities in Bucks County. The resolution to oppose the development of such centers passed the bipartisan three-person board unanimously.
Fitzpatrick said he, too, would oppose the establishment of detention or processing facilities and received assurances from the federal government that none would be planned in the district, which covers Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery County.
The ad features footage of ICE agents using physical force, underscoring how the agency’s aggressive tactics under President Donald Trump could be a wedge issue in the 1st District and other swing districts.
The 30-second video comes days after Harvie was tapped to join the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” list, meaning he’ll get more organizational backing and fundraising assistance from the national party as both parties target the key seat.
Harvie’s ad, which will be shown to residents in the district across digital and streaming platforms, is backed by an initial five-figure buy, according to his campaign.
The ad also touts Harvie’s background as a teacher and local elected official and says that he is running for Congress to reverse the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies and cuts to Medicaid. (Fitzpatrick was among a handful Republicans who voted to restore the subsidies earlier this year).
It features footage of Trump, whose sinking approval ratings could be a drag on Republicans in the fall.
Six months out from November’s midterms, tensions have already started brewing between Harvie and Fitzpatrick.
At a Democratic candidate forum last month, Harvie unleashed several jabs at Fitzpatrick’s voting record. And Fitzpatrick fired back with criticisms of Harvie’s opposition to open primaries in Pennsylvania.
