A $2-million billboard campaign just launched in Florida courtesy Republican Voters Against Trump is doing just that.
It’s an expansion of digital billboards already on display in swing states Pennsylvania, Arizona and North Carolina. It’s all part of a $20-million national advertising campaign. Testimonials come from Republicans, former Republicans and former Donald Trump supporters now ready for a change.
Roadside images will include some Florida Republicans and conservatives with the names and faces in car-sized fonts, making clear they intend to vote for Joe Biden for President.
“I’m a Republican. I’m a Marine Veteran. I’m voting Biden,” reads one billboard featuring Ron from Sarasota.
“I’m a Conservative. I’m an Army Veteran. I’m voting Biden,” reads one from Robert in Lake Worth.
“I’m a Republican. I’m a Christian. I’m voting Biden,” reads another showing Richard from DeLand.
While the billboards notably leave off last names and information that could lead to harassment for the voters providing testimonials, photographs ensure these men are all in for conversation at their local breakfast stops.
Not all are registered Republicans, but each featured individual makes clear their natural political leanings do not normally point to the Democratic nominee.
Jim Zaenglien, a Fernandina Beach Republican, told the Orlando Sentinel he thought it was important to tell other Florida voters Trump is “not fit” for reelection.
“He doesn’t conduct himself in a manner that I think a President should,” Zaenglin said. “He lies. He doesn’t have any integrity. He’s a womanizer and I consider him a racist. I think there’s a spectrum of racism, and he’s toward the extreme.”
RVAT leaders have made clear they want to provide an example to soft Republicans considering a vote against the President.
A look through previews of the billboard provided by RVAT hints at the demographics this ad campaign seeks to reach. All five provided images show white men. Most represent an older demographic.
Quotes alongside three of the subjects identify themselves as veterans. Others amplify patriotism and faith.
The billboards will appear in Fort Myers, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orlando, Tampa, Titusville, north of Daytona Beach and between Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.
This article first appeared at Florida Politics.
This article appears in Oct 8-15, 2020.