The Republican candidate taking on House Speaker Paul Ryan in a primary challenge is out with his first TV ad of the campaign.
The ad starts with Paul Nehlen walking down the Rio Grande River along the US-Mexico border, carrying a large black tub with the word “drugs” written on the side. Nehlen claims it’s too easy to smuggle drugs into the country, like heroin. He blames Ryan for failing to do enough to address the problem during his 18 years in Congress.
Ryan has stated in the past that the House of Representatives will not act on immigration reforms while President Barack Obama is in office, because “The American people can’t trust him to uphold the law.”
The House has also passed 18 bills aimed at dealing with the nation’s opioid epidemic, which are currently in a conference committee as part of an effort to get them to the president’s desk.
Nehlen is challenging Ryan in an August 9 primary for the state First Congressional District seat. The winner will go on to the general election in November, where up to four other candidates could appear on the ballot.
Ryan’s campaign declined to comment on the ad.