Democrats caught using stock photo of veteran in battleground state ads

Democrat Georgia representative candidate Tangie Herring was caught Saturday using a stock photo of a veteran in campaign mailers against her Republican opponent, according to a press release.

Herring secured her party’s nomination in June and hopes to win Georgia’s State House District 145 as she runs against GOP nominee Noah Harbuck. However, in a press statement released by the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), Herring’s campaign appears to have used a stock photo of a Desert Storm military veteran alongside quotes for political mailers.

“Nothing screams brazen and desperation quite like Tangie Herring using a Desert Storm veteran stock photo and a manufactured quote to score political points. Any candidate who has to fake veteran support to win a seat has no respect for the selfless men and women who have given their lives to protect our country and does not deserve to win on November 5,” RSLC Spokesperson Stephanie Rivera wrote.

The image used, which was posted online by the Georgia House Republicans, can be seen on a stock photo site showing a man in a brown zip-up jacket and a “Desert Storm Veteran” baseball cap posing for the camera. Mailers featuring this image were not only used against Harbuck but also appear to have been utilized by Democratic campaigns against other Republican candidates throughout the state, including Clay Griner, Sharon Cooper, and Ken Vance.

Campaign desperation should NEVER amount to misleading voters with manufactured views and online stock photos of US veterans. @GeorgiaDemocrat and @GAHouseDems candidates, America’s heroes deserve an apology for your disgusting attempt to use them as political pawns. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/sGr1bh046f

— GA House Republicans (@GaHouseGOP) October 26, 2024

Following the incident, Harbuck and local veterans released a statement calling out Herring’s use of the image to “make it appear as though this veteran attributed himself to the quote” and stating the Democrat candidate “owes” state veterans an apology.

“I’m stunned by the misuse of a stock image to imply veteran’s support of Tangie Herring,” Harbuck said. “As the grandson of veterans, and the brother of a veteran who succumbed to his battle with PTSD, I’m appalled that my opponent would stoop to using the image and likeness of a veteran to try to establish credibility in her false attack ads.”

Retired U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Thomas Sadler called Herring’s actions “awful” and noted, along with Vietnam veteran Martin Ursitti, that she would not be receiving his vote.

“We deserve better than someone willing to fake veteran support to score partisan points against their opponent. Lying about veterans is why Georgians are fed up with politicians who take us for granted. She won’t have my vote,” retired U.S. Air Force chaplain with 28 years of service added.

Herring’s campaign did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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