Sen. Bob Casey’s campaign runs ad that Jamal Khashoggi’s widow ‘pled with them to take down’

Senator Bob Casey's campaign has decided to discontinue an advertisement that criticized his opponent, David McCormick, regarding his hedge fund's connections to Saudi Arabia. The ad claimed that McCormick demanded loyalty from his hedge fund to those involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in 2018. Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the widow of the journalist, expressed her distress over the ad, stating it misrepresented her husband as an American and was a painful reminder of his death. She reached out to Casey's team, requesting the ad's immediate removal, but the campaign opted to let it run its course before discontinuing it next week. The controversy surrounding the ad has drawn attention to the sensitive nature of Khashoggi's murder, which has been linked to the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Multiple investigations have implicated MBS's inner circle in the brutal killing, which strained US-Saudi relations. Khashoggi's widow emphasized her desire to correct misconceptions about her late husband, highlighting the emotional toll the ad took on her. McCormick's campaign responded by accusing Casey of exploiting a tragedy for political gain, asserting that this incident would negatively impact Casey's standing with voters. The Pennsylvania Senate race is closely monitored, with Casey currently holding a slight lead over McCormick in the polls. The situation underscores the complexities of political advertising, especially when intertwined with sensitive international issues and personal tragedies. As the election approaches, the fallout from this ad may influence voter perceptions and the overall dynamics of the race. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of political messaging that touches on deeply personal and painful subjects.