David Trone, U. S. House of Representatives, D-Md. 6th District speaks during the Sun/FOX45/UB U.S. senate democratic candidates forum at WBFF-TV’s studio. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images). Img source: Axios.com
May 5, 2024 Story by: Publisher
Representative David Trone (D-Md.) has revised an attack ad against his Senate primary opponent, removing the phrase “training wheels” following backlash.
The alteration comes as Maryland holds significance due to its large share of Black voters, a crucial demographic for Democrats aiming to maintain control of the Senate seat, particularly against a formidable former Republican governor.
Trone, currently serving as a congressman, is vying against Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County Executive and a Black woman, in the Democratic primary.
The original ad, which featured endorsements from Black state and local officials, included a statement suggesting that the “U.S. Senate is not a place for training wheels.” This remark sparked criticism, with over 650 Black women, including former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile, condemning it as “disparaging and dismissive” while also highlighting undertones of misogyny and racism. Source: Axios
In response to the backlash, the Trone campaign swiftly released a revised version of the ad, omitting the controversial “training wheels” comment but retaining the same state and local lawmakers with similar endorsements.
Explaining the revision, the Trone campaign cited a “typographical error” related to the number of bills passed by David Trone in Congress. They also mentioned discovering additional compelling footage of their endorsers, prompting multiple edits to the ad.
Trone reiterated his stance in an interview with a local NBC station, asserting that the Senate seat was “not for someone on training wheels.”
The adjustment underscores the sensitivity surrounding issues of race and gender in political messaging, particularly in a state with a diverse electorate like Maryland.
