TAMPA, Florida—Mitt Romney's campaign released it's first negative ad of the cycle, which will begin airing in Florida this week, slamming Newt Gingrich on his ties to Freddie Mac.
Titled "Florida Families," the ad asserts that Gingrich "cashed in" working for Freddie Mac while Floridians struggled after the housing crisis.
Gingrich ended his relationship with the government-backed lender as the housing market was in decline, and Romney is calling on him to return the $1.7 million in fees he took from the company.
It's the first anti-Gingrich campaign ad released by the campaign, though many have been released by the pro-Romney Super PAC "Restore Our Future."
The ad script is below:
VOICEOVER: “While Florida families lost everything in the housing crisis, Newt Gingrich cashed in.”
VIDEO TEXT: “While Florida Families Lost Everything In The Housing Crisis, Newt Gingrich Cashed In”
VOICEOVER: “Gingrich was paid over $1.6 million by the scandal-ridden agency that helped create the crisis.”
VIDEO TEXT: “Paid $1.6 Million Freddie Mac”
VIDEO TEXT: “Fannie And Freddie Were At Heart Of Crisis – Kansas City Star 12.22.2011”
NEWT GINGRICH: “And I offered advice. And my advice as a historian…”
VIDEO TEXT: “Gingrich Of Freddie Mac – Wall Street Journal 12.19.2011”
VOICEOVER: “An historian. Really?”
VIDEO TEXT: “Historian? Really?
VOICEOVER: “Sanctioned for ethics violations.”
VOICEOVER: “Gingrich resigned from Congress in disgrace.”
VIDEO TEXT: “Resigned In Disgrace”
VOICEOVER: “And then cashed in as a DC insider.”
VIDEO TEXT: “Cashed In As A DC Insider”
VIDEO TEXT: “Sanctioned For Ethics”
VOICEOVER: “If Newt wins, this guy would be very happy.”
MITT ROMNEY: “I’m Mitt Romney, and I approve this message.”