Liberal super-PAC hits Johnson for supporting Trump

A liberal super-PAC launched another digital ad targeting vulnerable Senate Republicans for supporting Donald Trump, this time hitting Sen. Ron Johnson in Wisconsin. 

American Bridge 21st Century’s new video, shared first with The Hill, alternates between footage of Johnson saying he’d support the GOP presidential nominee and clips of Trump’s past controversial comments. 

The ad ends with Johnson wearing Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” hat and text across the screen calling Johnson “a stumper for Trump — The Ronald & The Donald.” It will run on social media in the Badger State. 

{mosads}Johnson is locked in a tight rematch with former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) in a swing state that was won by President Obama in 2008 and 2012. 

“The list of derogatory and offensive comments made by Donald Trump grows daily, but apparently, Senator Ron Johnson doesn’t think the presumptive nominee has crossed the line,” American Bridge President Jessica Mackler said. “Senator Johnson has made it clear: there’s nothing Trump can say that will end his dream of the Ronald and the Donald.” 

The group ran a similar ad earlier this week targeting Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) over his support. Portman faces a tough reelection bid against former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D).

Now that Trump is the presumptive nominee, Democrats have been quick to tie their Republican opponents to the controversial real estate mogul. Vulnerable GOP incumbents and candidates have been walking a tightrope over whether to support or distance themselves from Trump. 

Though Johnson has said he’ll support the eventual GOP nominee, he clarified that his support for Trump as the likely nominee doesn’t mean he’s endorsing him. 

In an interview over the weekend, the senator said, “To me, support versus endorse are two totally different things.” He also noted that he could rescind his support of Trump at any time, something he says he’d do with any candidate who “crosses the line.”

Vulnerable Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) made similar remarks earlier this month that she’s supporting the nominee but doesn’t plan to endorse a candidate this cycle.