A Republican Super PAC aimed at providing support to pro-gay Republicans is spending $200,000 in Palm Springs, California, to help Rep. Mary Bono Mack stave off a challenge from Democrat Raul Ruiz.
Although the American Unity PAC points to Bono Mack's stands in support of LGBT rights on hates crimes laws, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and House amendments in this Congress relating to the Defense of Marriage Act, the ad the Super PAC is running in her district takes solid aim at Ruiz on other issues — tying him to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and criticizing him on claims relating to Medicare and taxes.
"We are running ads in districts about issues that the district cares most about," founding member Margaret Hoover told BuzzFeed. "We polled the district and [these issues] all polled way higher than any social issues. ... We're not a single-issue super PAC."
Bono Mack, who has often been targeted by Democrats, has been the focus of outside spending opposing her in her race against Ruiz. The race, which has been ranked "likely Republican" was recently deemed to be more competitive — "lean Republican" — by Stuart Rothenberg.
An official with the group told BuzzFeed that the ads started running on Thursday morning.