Bob Casey’s Senate campaign in Pennsylvania has made the decision not to renew an ad that has sparked controversy and drawn a complaint from the widow of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi, a U.S.-based journalist, was tragically killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, causing a rift in relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
The campaign released a statement on Friday expressing sympathy for Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the widow of Jamal Khashoggi, but indicated that they did not plan to immediately pull the ad in question. The ad, which uses the image of the late journalist to criticize opponent Dave McCormick for his ties to the Saudi government, will be phased out next week as originally scheduled.
Campaign spokesperson Maddy McDaniel defended the ad, stating that it highlights McCormick’s alleged demands for loyalty to Khashoggi’s murderers in order to protect his own financial interests. McDaniel expressed the campaign’s empathy for Mrs. Khashoggi and acknowledged the pain that the ad has caused her.
In response to the ad, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi expressed her distress, emphasizing that the commercial serves as a painful reminder of her husband’s tragic death. She clarified that Jamal Khashoggi was a Saudi citizen who resided in the U.S., not an American as the ad suggested. She stressed her dedication to correcting any misconceptions about her late husband.
Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist known for his critical columns on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered by Saudi officials inside the consulate in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence officials later confirmed that the killing was authorized by Prince Mohammed, causing a significant strain in U.S.-Saudi relations.
The ad by the Casey campaign alleges that McCormick, a prominent Republican businessman, pressured his hedge fund to maintain loyalty to Khashoggi’s killers in order to safeguard their investments in Saudi Arabia. However, the widow objected to the portrayal of her late husband in the ad and engaged in discussions with the campaign and her lawyer, Randa Fahmy, a close associate of McCormick.
The sensitive nature of the ad and the widow’s objections have prompted the Casey campaign to reconsider its messaging and ensure that Hanan Elatr Khashoggi’s concerns are addressed respectfully. As the campaign navigates this issue, it remains committed to running a fair and thoughtful race for the Pennsylvania Senate seat.
