The Marshall County Democratic Party recently launched a billboard ad targeting Republicans, apparently accusing GOP leadership of "protecting pedophiles" for not releasing the complete files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
"Republicans are protecting pedophiles. Democrats are protecting Democracy," the digital sign reads, posted along U.S. Highway 431 in Guntersville. 1819 News reached out to Marshall County Democratic Party chair Susan McKenney to learn the context of the sign, but did not receive a response.
McKenney and many other Democrats have recently been calling for the release of documentation related to the late, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged clients, going as far as to accuse GOP leadership, namely President Donald Trump, of having something to hide, despite evidence and claims to the contrary.
Republicans have led the way in calling for more transparency on the matter, and Congress released 33,295 pages of records Tuesday, a day after McKenney's billboard went live. As previously pointed out by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), Democrats had four years to release the information under the administration of former President Joe Biden, who himself faced credible accusations of sexual assault.
The billboard is a part of the Alabama Democratic County Chairs' Association's "Billboards Across Alabama" initiative, helping local Democrat clubs spread messages that "pack a powerful political punch."
"Here in Marshall County, Democrats are hoping to change some hearts and minds," said McKenney, who also chairs the Association.
She credited Calhoun County Democratic Party Chair Sheila Gilbert with launching the "roadside advertising initiative."
"We don't go soft," Gilbert said in the release. "Our signs hit hard. We only have a few seconds to get our point across."
Other billboard messages have targeted Trump's policies related to healthcare, social security and the economy, accusing the president of being a "wannabe dictator."
Melanie Goff, president of the Marshall County Republican Women, believes the sign is a case of Democrat projection.
"Democrats have lost their minds and way. We all know the party (Democrats) that is attacking our children," Goff told 1819 News. "Republicans are fighting to protect our children from Democratic insanity. They are sick."
Noah Campbell, chairman of the Marshall County Republican Club, said Democrats should have better things to do with their time and money than buy 5-second spots on digital billboards.
"While Democrats in D.C. worked to block the passage of historic tax cuts, Republicans worked to keep more of the hard-earned taxpayer dollar in pockets," Campbell told 1819 News. "Here locally, Democrats are wasting time debating how many genders there are, whereas Republicans are cutting costs like the recent grocery tax reduction and ensuring public safety. The difference between us is that Republicans are focused on real results with tangible impacts to the American people."
He added, "Rather than purchasing billboards and engaging in partisan theatrics, Democrats should focus on the concerns within their own party — like those who encourage boys in girls' restrooms, men in women's sports and puberty blockers for children."
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