By Karim Hammam
Democratic candidates and allied groups are saturating airwaves with ads accusing Republican opponents of protecting the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by voting against legislation to release related files. CNN analysis shows candidates and outside groups have spent more than $35 million on Epstein-related advertising, while the Washington Post found Democrats alone spent over $40 million across six key Senate races.
Key races targeted
In Colorado, ads target Republican Jeff Crank for voting against releasing the Epstein files, with family members of victim Virginia Giuffre claiming he "covered up Epstein's crimes to protect Donald Trump." Iowa Senate candidate Ashley Hinson faced accusations of voting to "protect her donors" by refusing to support the file release. Georgia Republican Mike Collins was accused of opposing release even after learning Epstein's operation exploited 14-year-old girls. Florida's Jimmy Patronis was attacked over claims he called investigating Epstein "a waste of his time."
Republicans push back
Crank's campaign called the ads "intentionally vague," noting he opposed early discharge-petition efforts only until victim information could be properly redacted, and that he later voted for the final Epstein Files Transparency Act. Hinson responded with a direct-to-camera ad stating she voted for the final act, though she did not sign the discharge petition. Patronis's campaign denied he called the investigation a waste of time, saying he supported full release but viewed the process as a "massive energy and time suck."
Democrats also face scrutiny
Republicans have sought to flip the narrative. In Georgia, Collins accused Democrat Jon Ossoff of accepting donations from tech billionaire Reid Hoffman, who had ties to Epstein. In New Mexico's gubernatorial race, an outside group claimed Democrat Deb Haaland flew on Epstein's private jet and took money from Epstein businesses. Haaland said she took a 2014 flight booked by an Epstein-owned company but was unaware of the connection.
Legislative background
Last year, Democrats and a few House Republicans attempted to force a vote via discharge petition. Trump initially opposed the effort, reversing a campaign transparency promise, and most House Republicans aligned with him. Under pressure, Trump later supported the legislation, and all but one House Republican voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Attack ads generally reference opposition to the earlier discharge petition rather than the final floor vote.
