Dem candidates brandish guns in ads

Democratic candidates in two red-leaning districts are centering their campaigns on firearms ownership to reach rural voters. They appear in advertisements holding guns, hunting, and shooting targets as the midterm elections approach next week.

In Wisconsin's 1st District, Democrat Mitchell Berman runs ads that show him fishing with a handgun on his hip. Another commercial features him skeet shooting at clay pigeons labeled 'Data Centers.' When one target breaks, his six-year-old daughter shouts, 'Great shot, Dad!' Berman says the imagery mirrors his daily life. He notes that wolves, bears, and a mountain lion are common in his area. He carries a sidearm for protection when he enters the woods.

Berman faces Republican Rep. Bryan Steil in a race that polls now show as competitive. Trump carried the district in both 2020 and 2024. Steil won re-election two years ago by 10 points. The shift in polling suggests Democrats have a path to victory in this traditionally Republican seat.

In Texas' 15th District, Democrat Bobby Pulido, a Tejano singer, also highlights his affinity for guns. He has shared videos of himself hitting a target from a mile away. His home rec room displays trophies from hunting trips. He named his oldest son Remington. Pulido states that in rural areas, firearms are a way of life. He adds that fundraisers in the Rio Grande Valley often take place at skeet shooting events rather than golf courses.

Pulido challenges Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz in a district redrawn earlier this year to favor Republicans. The seat was won by Trump in the last two presidential elections. However, a shift among Latino voters away from Trump and a struggling economy have put De La Cruz at risk of losing her re-election bid. Both races serve as tests for Democratic strategies to win back rural support.

The candidates' approach reflects a calculated move to change the political conversation around guns. They aim to win back rural voters in red-leaning parts of the country. Their ads and public statements emphasize their familiarity with firearms as a key qualification for office.