Cotton ad pushes back on disaster funding attacks in Arkansas

Rep. Tom Cotton’s (R-Ark.) Senate campaign is taking to the airwaves to push back against Sen. Mark Pryor’s (D-Ark.) attacks over Cotton’s votes against disaster relief.

{mosads}Cotton’s spot features a local sheriff talking about efforts to help his county recover after a series of tornadoes demolished parts of Arkansas this spring.

“The tornado that hit Faulkner County was an awful tragedy, but we’re working hard to recover,” Faulkner County Sheriff Andy Shock says in the ad. “Despite what you’ve been told, Tom Cotton stood with us every step of the way. Tom voted for disaster relief and full funding of FEMA. Shame on anyone who uses our tragedy for their own political gain. It’s just wrong. Sen. Pryor, start focusing on the real issues. Leave our community and our tragedy out of your campaign.”

Pryor has been hitting Cotton hard for opposing federal disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, arguing that his votes against money to help the East Coast make it harder for Arkansas to get necessary funding.

This ad shows those attacks have worked — Cotton wouldn’t be spending money on an ad counterpunching on the issue if his campaign didn’t think it was a dangerous one.

Polls have found a tight race in the red state, a top GOP priority as they look to win back Senate control.

Cotton’s ad is the latest launching on TV this week. Pryor is up with a new spot attacking Cotton for his recent remarks questioning Pryor’s faith, while the GOP outside group Crossroads GPS attacks Pryor on ObamaCare in a new spot.