Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio (D) releases a new campaign ad saying, “It’s us versus China”
Representative Tim Ryan is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Ohio and is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on May 3, 2022. Ryan’s campaign largely focuses on the working class as he promises to bring jobs back to Ohio and rebuild infrastructure.
In his newest campaign ad, Ryan says “It’s us versus China.”
“It is time for us to fight back,” Ryan continues. “You are our greatest weapon in this fight.”
Ryan has been met with swift criticism from the Asian community and allies for the ad’s sinophobia. Many have pointed out the striking similarities with some of former President Trump’s campaign ads that were also anti-China.
A statement from the Asian Americans Midwest Progressives (AAMP) said, “The decision from Rep. Ryan’s campaign to alienate AAPI voters through the use of anti-China rhetoric is misguided at best and violent at worst, and does not strategically facilitate a path forward for a Democratic victory in the race for Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat.
This ad utilizes anti-Asian rhetoric popularized by extremist right-wing Republicans in an attempt to mobilize voters out of fear. By aligning his campaign with this right-wing rhetoric, Rep. Ryan is signaling that he is unconcerned with fueling increased violence against AAPIs, and unconcerned with the real issues facing Ohioans. Rather than holding accountable the corporations that are hurting workers everywhere, this ad solely blames China for workers’ woes. This tactic is not new: blaming Asian countries and Asian people for corporate anti-worker choices is a persistent American political trend that has led to projection of that blame onto individuals, like in the case of the violent murder of Vincent Chin, a 27-year-old draftsman in Detroit.”
AAMP is deeply disappointed in the Tim Ryan campaign's decision to use Trump-like anti-Asian rhetoric in his One Word ad. Congressman Ryan is currently running for US Senate in Ohio. See our statement here: https://t.co/89Ug6GIqF4
— Asian American Midwest Progressives (@AAMProgressives) March 30, 2022
Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) is calling on Ryan to take down the ad.
This may not have been @TimRyan’s intentions, but this is essentially shifting blame away from American corporations’ anti-worker policies and putting a target on the backs of #AAPIs. Take down the ad. #StopAsianHate in both actions and words. https://t.co/w5JP86GID3
— Grace Meng (@Grace4NY) March 31, 2022
I study Sinophobia, and @TimRyan is traveling in anti-Asian xenophobia that doesn’t position Asian Americans as ever fully American (called the forever foreigner) thanks Rep. @Grace4NY for keeping colleagues accountable. #stopaapihate #StopAsianHate #AsianAmericans. https://t.co/GSBXeyOh9M
— Kyle L. Chong (he.him.his) (@KyleLChong) April 2, 2022
I’m a Democrat. Ever since I could vote, I have worked on campaigns on a local, state, and national basis. I will continue to do so. However, I will *not* support Tim Ryan or any candidate who increases Sinophobia, which causes nativists to attack Asians and Asian Americans. https://t.co/Nd6wlFg3nK
— Min Jin Lee (@minjinlee11) March 30, 2022
Dear @TimRyan —if you think Ohio Asian American voters will not care, you, sir, are wrong. @AAPIVictoryFund
— Min Jin Lee (@minjinlee11) March 30, 2022
If you thought Tim Ryan’s new ad sounded familiar, here’s why.
— Morgan Harper (@mh4oh) April 1, 2022
Now more than ever, it’s crucial we elect new leadership to pave a new path forward. Can you contribute to our grassroots campaign before midnight? https://t.co/JhOl9pGAm4 pic.twitter.com/1aZgHJKk1x
Tim Ryan’s most recent ad is appalling for a lot of reasons not the least of which is its race baiting *at this particular moment* in this country when AAPI communities are facing increased levels of violence.
— Katy Shanahan (@KatyAShanahan) April 2, 2022
Really shameful to see it and to see relative silence from too many. https://t.co/su67H5CPmd
You are a sick man. Asian Americans are murdered for remarks like this. Ever hear of Vincent Chin, the Chinese American killed by two white autoworkers who took him for the Japanese "stealing" their jobs after years of racist rhetoric from the UAW? I hope you lose and lose big.
— Tim Shorrock (@TimothyS) March 30, 2022
