Liberal groups launch emotional ad in Wisconsin aimed at recalling GOP lawmakers

WASHINGTON – In the wake of a devastating legislative defeat in Wisconsin, liberal groups have unleashed a new ad campaign against state Republican lawmakers who voted to strip the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions.

The one-minute spot was created by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) and Democracy For America (DFA). Featuring emotional testimonials from Wisconsin teachers and other state employees, it begins running Tuesday in Green Bay and Milwaukee, targeting six Republican senators eligible for recall.

"As a Republican my entire life I am appalled at what Scott Walker and the Republicans did," says a corrections officer in the ad. "This hurts my family. It's about my kids in school."

"Republicans have declared war on the middle class and with this recall campaign we are fighting back and we are going to win," says a woman at the end.

What started off last month as a battle in Wisconsin over the collective bargaining rights of state workers quickly became a nationwide proxy war when state Democratic fled the state for weeks in protest of Gov. Scott Walker's budget. Republicans ultimately passed the union provision in a separate measure that didn't require support from Democrats, and Walker signed it into law earlier this month.

But the battle may not be over yet: A judge issued a restraining order against the law in responses to accusations that the process of its passage violated the state's open meetings law. Walker went ahead and published it anyway, readying it for implementation, which critics say is a legal violation.

PCCC co-founder Stephanie Taylor said in a statement that the ad reflects a revolt against "Republican policies that give millions to big corporations in tax cuts while forcing middle-class families, schools, and communities to pay the price."

"DFA is on the ground and on the air in Wisconsin with more than 2,600 volunteers recruited for the recall campaign, more than half of the signatures gathered, and members nationwide supporting the new TV ad released today," added DFA chair Jim Dean.

Watch the ad below, courtesy PCCC and DFA.