Ron Johnson’s campaign ads don’t mention he’s a senator

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson’s second television ad in his re-election campaign avoids any reference to him being an incumbent senator, just as his first spot did.

The latest ad released Wednesday called “Dishwasher” instead focuses on his life in the private sector, starting with his first job washing dishes. Johnson then talks about his work at plastics-manufacturer Pacur, a company he helped build with his brother-in-law starting in 1979.

Just like his first ad, the latest one is filmed on the manufacturing floor at Pacur. It ends with the incumbent senator making a veiled reference to his job as a senator, saying “Now I’m working hard to keep Wisconsin prosperous and America safe.”

The spot is part of a $1.3 million ad buy. Johnson is challenged by Democrat Russ Feingold, who lost the Senate seat to Johnson in the tea party-wave election of 2010.

Feingold’s campaign issued a press release stating, “In his last campaign ad, Johnson couldn’t point to even one thing he’s accomplished in the Senate!”

Other Democrats say the senator is trying to hide from his Senate record as well as his policy positions.

Johnson, who is heavily backed by Koch-brother groups, wants to eliminate Social Security, which he describes as a “legal Ponzi scheme.” He opposes all forms of gun control as well as abortion, even in cases of rape or incest — and even when the mother’s life is in danger.

Johnson has a zero rating from Planned Parenthood, zero from the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, zero from Americans for the Arts Action Fund, zero from the Human Rights Campaign, zero from the Alliance for Retired Americans, zero from the Service Employees International Union, and zero from the League of Conservation Voters.

Most recently, he opposed legislation designed help small businesses and rural Wisconsinites. According to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, the measure’s goal was to reduce the deficit by $23 billion dollars and reinvest $14 billion dollars to support farmers.

“Clearly the senator’s allegiance is to the special interests that back him and not small farmers in Wisconsin,” said WisDems spokesman Harry Hartfield.

Despite a $5 million ad blitz paid for by right-wing dark money groups, Feingold has extended his lead among likely voters by 6 points since February, according to the latest Marquette University Law School poll.

Feingold now leads Johnson by 51-42 percent.

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