Credit: Lucasfilm

In today’s “get off my nerf herd” news, a Republican super PAC is going after a Democratic congressional candidate for the unspeakable crime of dressing up like a character from Star Wars in college.


The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC dedicated to keeping Republican control in the House of Representatives, released an attack ad against Jon Ossoff, a 30-year-old small business owner and former congressional aide. Ossoff is one of 18 candidates running to replace Tom Price in Georgia’s 6th district. He’s considered by some to be a strong grassroots candidate in the special election, with Daily Beast reporting his campaign has raised over $1.85-million so far, but he’s still not a sure thing in the traditionally conservative district. Still, that hasn’t stopped CLF from deciding he should be their first target. Why? Because old people are the fucking worst sometimes.

CLF released not one, but two, ads attacking the Democratic candidate, called “The Truth Strikes Back.” The shorter video mocks Ossoff for dressing up as Han Solo with his friends. The longer ad talks even more shit about Ossoff for doing other things that normal college kids do, like drinking alcohol, socializing, and singing in an a cappella group (what, that was only normal for me?) The video they’re referencing is a spoof Ossoff and his fellow singers made as part of a campaign addressing Georgetown’s drinking policies. The short film’s on YouTube, and it’s dumb but harmless.

The Congressional Leadership Fund clearly thought it had an ace in the hole with that ad, and they kind of do, but not for the reasons they might think. They’re showcasing a candidate who’s young and fun and likes Star Wars, and I don’t see anything wrong with that. This doesn’t speak to any of his policies or experience, but a rebellion leader who you can have a beer with isn’t a bad thing. Hell, more people will probably mock the a cappella thing than anything else. I would know.


io9 reached out to both Ossoff and the Congressional Leadership Fund for comment, and we’ll let you know if they respond.

[YouTube]

Update: Added information regarding Ossoff’s fundraising and support.