At a glance:
- Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux featured in Kamala Harris ad without permission
- Boudreaux does not endorse Harris for any political office
- Sheriff criticizes ad for distorting Harris’ record on border security
- Boudreaux and DA Tim Ward express frustration over uninformed inclusion in ad
Sheriff Denounces Unauthorized Use of Image
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux has publicly denounced the unauthorized use of his image in a campaign advertisement for Vice President Kamala Harris. The ad, which aims to promote Harris’ plans for border security, has sparked controversy and raised questions about ethical standards in political advertising. Sheriff Boudreaux, with 37 years of experience in law enforcement and currently serving as the president of the California State Sheriffs’ Association, made it clear that he does not support Harris or her political stance.
California sheriff featured in Kamala Harris campaign ad decries use of image: 'I do not support her' https://t.co/kfjy9VfMU3
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 13, 2024
Harris’ Border Security Claims Disputed
Sheriff Boudreaux vehemently disputes the ad’s claims about Harris’ strong record on border security. He argues that during her tenure as California’s attorney general, Harris did not effectively address cartel activities or illegal border crossings. Boudreaux’s political action committee, Golden State Justice, issued a statement condemning Harris’ record, asserting that she defunded task forces and left the state vulnerable to criminal activities.
“The truth is, Harris never cared about the cartels and did nothing to stop people from illegally crossing the border,” said Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux
The sheriff’s critique extends to a 2013 visit by Harris to the Central Valley when she was California’s attorney general. Boudreaux recalls her attitude as dismissive, claiming she did not engage with local law enforcement during her visit. This past interaction further fuels his opposition to being featured in her current campaign advertisement.
Ethical Concerns in Political Advertising
The controversy surrounding this advertisement highlights significant ethical issues in political campaigning. Both Sheriff Boudreaux and Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward expressed frustration over not being informed about their inclusion in the ad. They emphasized that their appearance should not be construed as an endorsement of Harris or her policies.
“In light of a recent political ad put out by Kamala Harris featuring Sheriff Boudreaux, as well as other local law enforcement, the Sheriff wants to make it abundantly clear that his image is being used without his permission, and he does NOT endorse Harris for President or any other political office.”
This incident underscores the importance of consent and integrity in political advertising. It raises questions about the responsibility of campaigns to ensure that individuals featured in their ads are willing participants and supporters of the candidate. The use of footage from a 2013 event, without context or permission, further complicates the ethical landscape of modern political campaigning.
