First attack ad of Myrtle Beach congressional race paints Rice as comic book ‘villain’
In the first local attack ad of this congressional cycle, state Rep. Russell Fry has painted U.S. Rep. Tom Rice as a ‘villain.’
Fry’s campaign paid for and produced the ad, which was posted to YouTube Monday.
Philip Habib, Fry’s campaign manager, said the ad will run “for several weeks” and is part of a “significant buy across broadcast, cable, and digital.”
In response, Rice called the ad “childish, absurd and untrue.”
A news release accompanying the ad noted it would air on national networks Saturday, when former President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Florence for a political rally. Trump endorsed Fry last month.
Trump is expected to boost both Fry and Katie Arrington, who is challenging Rep. Nancy Mace in South Carolina’s Charleston-area congressional district, as well as other state Republicans.
In the ad titled “Villain’s Anonymous,” a cast of comic book and fantasy villains sit in a circle in folding chairs, ostensibly there to confess to various crimes.
A character dressed up as “The Joker” from the “Batman” franchise leads the meeting. He notes the meeting is a “safe space” and that “we’ve all done things we’re not so proud of,” before introducing Rice.
“We haven’t had a congressman here in a while, Tom is it?” “The Joker” says.
An actor portraying Rice then speaks, and runs down a list of his “sins.”
“Anyway, I said I was for term limits and I’ve been in Washington for more than 10 years. I supported tax increases and I even voted to impeach President Trump,” the Rice character admits.
Rice said at a recent town hall event in Horry County that he still supports term limits, and believes members of Congress should be capped at 12 years: Two terms as a senator, or six terms as a representative.
Rice is currently serving his fifth term and is seeking a sixth, meaning, under his definition, he would hit his limit in 2024.
In 2013, Rice co-sponsored a bill to limit members of Congress to three terms.
Fry’s campaign defined Rice’s support of part of the 2017 tax reform package as support for an overall tax increase. In that case, part of the package would have raised import taxes on foreign goods coming into the United States.
It is also true Rice voted to impeach former President Donald Trump.
He did so after objecting to Trump’s actions during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol Building. He’s defended his vote as he’s run for re-election and has argued the GOP should stick with Trump’s policies but move away from him personally.
In the ad, after Rice’s character lists his various “sins,” the other “villains” take turns expressing shock.
“That’s cold!” said one character dressed as a pirate.
“Lemme guess, you’re from San Francisco?” asked another character portraying Dolores Umbridge, a mean professor in the “Harry Potter” series.
After Rice’s “confession,” the “Joker” kicks him out of the meeting.
“Tom I think it’s time for you, just go ahead and leave,” the “Joker” says.
At the end of the ad, a character playing Dr. Anthony Fauci, a Trump and Biden adviser on COVID-19, attempts to support Rice before the other “villains” shut him down.
The ad ends with a voice over that says “Let’s kick another villain out of D.C. and vote for President Trump’s choice. Vote Russell Fry for Congress.”
Asked why Fry labeled Rice as a “villain,” Habib said “Republican voters (will) decide that in June.”
“Tom Rice’s record on term limits, tax increases, and Trump is not conservative. Once Republican voters know this fact, Tom Rice’s remaining GOP support vanishes,” Habib said in the release.
“Saturday’s rally will remind voters that the contrast between Russell Fry and Tom Rice could not be clearer.”
On Tuesday, Rice said, “I’m very proud of my conservative voting record. I hope voters will take the time to compare my voting record to any of my legion of opponents. I will compare very favorably.”
Rice noted that he’s brought federal grants and funding for flood relief, roads and beachfront renourishment to the district throughout his time in office.
He also touted the construction of the Dillon inland port — an interstate shipping hub.
He noted the district has seen wages increase and unemployment fall while he’s been in office.
“I’ve helped lift tens of thousands of South Carolinians out of poverty,” he said. “And I’m just getting started.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated with comment from Rice.
This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 11:55 AM.
