MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Congressional candidate Jason Church launched a television ad Tuesday that focuses on injuries he suffered in Afghanistan and praises President Donald Trump.
Church is vying to replace former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy in northern Wisconsin’s conservative-leaning 7th District. Duffy resigned in September to spend more time with his family after his ninth child was born with medical challenges.
Church will face state Sen. Tom Tiffany in the Feb. 18 Republican primary. Wausau School Board President Tricia Zunker and insurance salesman Lawrence Dale are in a Democratic primary. The survivors of each primary will advance to a May 12 special election.
Church is a retired Army captain who lost his legs in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan. His new ad opens with shots of someone lacing up skates, cleats and Army boots. Church narrates in a voice-over, saying he played hockey and college football before joining the Army. The camera then cuts to a shot of him sitting on a stool wearing his prosthetic legs.
He then praises Trump, saying the president is making tough decisions. He says Trump is trying to secure the border and create jobs but needs help from people outside politics like himself.
Church’s campaign said the ad began playing Tuesday in all media markets across the district. The campaign’s political director, Pari Cariaga, said she didn’t know the size of the ad buy.
Tiffany’s campaign manager, Ashley Czaja, said in a statement that Tiffany worked alongside former Republican Gov. Scott Walker to cut taxes and protect gun rights. She did not address the ad.
Tiffany’s campaign launched a radio ad Monday that features Walker touting Tiffany as pro-life, pro-gun “citizen legislator” that Trump needs in Washington.
