The tone of the ad is celebratory.
“Doug Emhoff,” a narrator says, “would be the first Jewish presidential spouse ever.”
The strategy behind the spot seems to be far more cynical.
A super political action committee that appears to have Republican ties is targeting Michigan residents — including those in Detroit-area ZIP codes that are home to many Muslim Americans and Arab Americans — with YouTube advertisements that highlight Vice President Kamala Harris’ support for Israel and, in some cases, the Jewish faith of her husband, Emhoff.
As the narrator cheerfully notes Emhoff’s religion, an image of the Israeli flag appears on-screen, a dog whistle conjuring the antisemitic trope of dual loyalty.
“Kamala Harris is a strong leader for these difficult times — and joining Kamala will be her husband and top adviser, Doug Emhoff,” the narrator says, as images cycle across the screen of Emhoff wearing a yarmulke; visiting Oskar Schindler’s factory; and lighting Hanukkah candles with Harris. “Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff: making history, standing up for what’s right, supporting Israel.”
According to the Google Ads Transparency Center, a group called Future Coalition PAC has run six advertisements since Sept. 5, three of which deal explicitly with Emhoff’s faith. Others focus squarely on Harris’ support of Israel.
The group spent just under $54,000 so far across all of those YouTube ads in that time period, according to the latest data posted by Google on Thursday. It is a small sum in the world of political advertising, but one that could have an impact when used to target specific voters in a single area, like Detroit and its surroundings.
The Huffington Post reported this month on Future Coalition PAC’s advertising about Harris and Israel on other social media sites.
As many American Jews grapple with worries about antisemitism on both extremes of the political spectrum, the ads seemed intended to stoke more division, and signal a new level of ugliness in the race.
The ads come as many Arab Americans remain frustrated with the Biden-Harris administration over its military backing of Israel as the war in the Gaza Strip rages on.
Democrats have long feared that anger over the conflict could depress turnout for their candidate in Michigan, a top battleground state, and Republicans have long bet that such an outcome could work to their advantage. In April, The New York Times reported that allies of former President Donald Trump were discussing running ads in parts of Michigan with large Muslim populations that would thank President Joe Biden, the expected nominee at the time, for supporting Israel.
Little is known about Future Coalition PAC, which was formed in July, according to Federal Election Commission records. Those records show that the group’s treasurer is named Ray Zaborney.
A Republican political consultant based in Pennsylvania who goes by that name, and is a founder of the firm Red Maverick Media, did not respond Thursday to phone calls, text messages or an email seeking comment about the ads and who paid for them.
In its filing with the FEC, the group listed Chain Bridge Bank — an institution that works with many Republican campaigns — as its bank, and indicated a relationship with RightSide Compliance, a firm with many Republican ties. Cabell Hobbs of Austin, Texas, who is listed as assistant treasurer, has held similar roles with other Republican efforts.
The super PAC’s website links to the YouTube page of a different group called Protecting America Initiative, which lists a Cabell Hobbs as custodian of records on an FEC document.
That group, which is scheduled to host an event for Trump in Pennsylvania later this month, is led by Richard Grenell, who held a number of senior jobs in the Trump administration, and former Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York, a Republican. Zeldin and Grenell did not immediately return calls seeking comment. (Shortly after this article was published, the Future Coalition PAC’s website no longer took users to Protecting America Initiative’s YouTube page and instead linked to the PAC’s own YouTube page.)
Another spot from the Future Coalition PAC emphasizes that Harris “stands with Israel and the Jewish people.”
“Supporters of Free Palestine — they hate her,” the ad says, showing images of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. “We can trust she’ll always support Israel.”
And, referring to a Michigan rally where Harris rebuked protesters for interrupting her, the narrator says, “When supporters of a free Palestine stood up for Gaza, Harris put them in their place.”
Harris and Biden are calling for a cease-fire deal that would include the return of Israelis and Israeli Americans taken hostage during last October’s Hamas-led attack on Israel.