Going negative on Maggie

A recent mail piece put out by the NC Republican Party State Executive Committee attacks Maggie Jeffus, the Democrat seeking reelection in NC House District 59, as a "career politician" who is responsible for "higher taxes, more spending" and "fewer jobs."

Jeffus is opposed by Republican challenger Theresa Yon.

Citing the the 2009 Appropriations Act, the mailer states, "Maggie Jeffus voted to raise taxes in North Carolina by over one billion dollars," then goes on to the 2010 Appropriations Act with the assertion, "Maggie Jeffus voted to increase state spending this year by over $600 million during the 'greatest recession since the Great Depression.'" The kicker, based on the incentives bill and the "No Add-Back for Film Credit/Apportionment" bill passed this summer, is a claim that Jeffus voted to cut taxes for "Hollywood fat cats."

Jeffus has defended her vote for incentives to the film industry, most recently on Wednesday during a candidate forum in Greensboro.

"These film people, the people that produce them, they bring jobs into North Carolina," Jeffus said. "Guilford County does have a film office here, and films have been shot here in Greensboro and High Point – all around. So we’re talking about jobs. Construction. Production. Directors. Costumes. They stay in hotels and motels. They buy food. It’s just a no-brainer. We need jobs. And that’s what we’re trying to do."

The mailer does not explain how Jeffus is responsible for fewer jobs, but Republicans typically argue that increasing taxes destroys jobs by increasing burdens on business and hence discouraging hiring. A left-leaning counterargument is that maintaining government services help keep low-income households afloat, circulating money through local communities and hence keeping people employed.

The mailer takes a business-populist tone, noting that "unemployment in North Carolina is nearly 10% and families everywhere are struggling to make ends meet," with a flip-side image of businessman at waist level demonstrating that his pockets are empty accompanied by text reading, "Raleigh politicians have left us broke. Enough is enough."

What about you? Have you had enough of Democratic representation in District 59, or are you ready to re-up on Jeffus?

UPDATE: The Republicans are targeting both Jeffus and Democrat Pricey Harrison, who is running for reelection in NC House District 57, with similar messages, although Harrison can't be accused of voting to cut taxes for "Hollywood fat cats" because she was excused from the vote on the incentives bill and the No Add-Back for Film Credit/Apportionment bill.