EMILY’s List links vulnerable Republicans to Trump

EMILY’s List is launching a new series of attacks tying vulnerable Republican congressional targets with GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump in light of his recent call to end Muslim immigration.

EMILY’s List, which normally backs female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights, shared its new line of attack with The Hill ahead of its Wednesday launch. The group is distributing graphics and releases panning the candidates to its 3 million members, and posting them on social media. 

{mosads}“They all share a similar agenda when it comes to dangerous and divisive policies that hurt women and families,” an EMILY’s List aide told The Hill, saying vulnerable GOP incumbents share “Donald Trump’s extreme policy positions and rhetoric.”

The group is targeting GOP Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), John McCain (Ariz.) and Pat Toomey (Pa.). Fifteen House Republicans facing a tough reelection in 2016 will also be targeted by the new attack.

One release targeting Toomey, shared with The Hill, chides the senator for supporting policies “in lockstep with Donald Trump’s offensive and incendiary rhetoric.” It also notes that the Pennsylvania Republican Party is holding a fundraiser with Trump this week.

A Kirk campaign aide noted to The Hill that Kirk repudiated Trump’s ban on Muslim immigrants in local media. 

The EMILY’s List aide didn’t reveal any specific ad strategy, but noted it will incorporate the anti-Trump theme into its messaging for the foreseeable future.