GOP U.S. Sen. Mike Braun belatedly acknpowledged Monday that he manipulated this image of Democrat Jennifer McCormick, his rival in the race for Indiana governor, by substitutinga "No gas stoves" over her standard campaign signs in a new 30-political television ad. Screenshot
GOP U.S. Sen. Mike Braun belatedly acknpowledged Monday that he manipulated this image of Democrat Jennifer McCormick, his rival in the race for Indiana governor, by substitutinga "No gas stoves" over her standard campaign signs in a new 30-political television ad. Screenshot
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun admitted Monday he manipulated images of his Democratic rival for Indiana governor in a new television ad to falsely show former state schools chief Jennifer McCormick posing with other politicians and espousing positions she has not taken.

The 30-second commercial, personally approved by the Republican gubernatorial nominee, inaccurately depicts McCormick standing alongside 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and alters a newspaper photo of a 2023 McCormick rally in South Bend by replacing her campaign signs with signs reading, "No gas stoves."

Indiana law requires campaign ads that employ a digitally altered or artificially generated image to include a noticeable disclosure that the ad contains fabricated media.

Braun's commercial initially lacked the required disclosure and aired at least several times Monday without it. The Braun campaign subsequently added the disclosure and claimed credit for being first in the state to comply with the fabricated media statute.

Under House Enrolled Act 1133 (2024), championed by state Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, a candidate depicted using altered or artificially generated media that lacks the required disclosure can seek financial damages against any person who knowingly paid for, sponsored or disseminated the content without the mandatory notice.

It's not clear whether the McCormick campaign plans to sue. For now, it's condemning Braun for resorting to "deep fakes and dishonesty" to try to continue the 20-year Republican hold on the Indiana governor's office.

"Mike Braun has repeatedly shown he's willing to game the system, and now he may have again broken election laws. Hoosiers deserve better than a governor who plays fast and loose with the law. Voters deserve leaders who stand for honesty and accountability — traits Braun lacks," said Kelly Wittman, McCormick's campaign manager.

Braun's attack ad against McCormick, who last ran statewide in 2016 as a Republican, comes after an election forecaster last week shifted its prediction of the outcome of the Indiana governor's race to "Likely Republican" from "Solid Republican" following several public opinion polls showing the race between Braun and McCormick is close.
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