Smith and Love Campaigns React to Controversial Ad
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Updated: 6:54 AM Jul 8, 2008
Smith and Love Campaigns React to Controversial Ad
The campaign parties for State Senator Harri Anne Smith and State Representative Jay Love were both in Montgomery today where they spoke to News 4 about controversial remarks in a political ad.
Posted: 10:23 PM Jul 3, 2008
Reporter: Ryan Rodig
Email Address: ryan@wtvy.com
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There has been some controversy lately regarding a portion of a political ad sponsored by State Representative Jay Love.
In the ad, Love states that Ronnie Gilley was a host at a fund raising event in Enterprise supporting Senator Smith. Gilley did admit to attending the event, but it wasn't for an endorsement. The ad references Senator Smith giving up values for campaign funds. Gilley and Smith both denied that the Country Crossing developer gave any money to the State Senator's campaign.
Campaign Manager for Jay Love, Michael Lowry, says the intent of the ad was not to insinuate that Gilley gave Sen. Smith money.
"The issue in our TV ads is about Senator Smith, and her inability to tell people where she stands," Lowry says.
"She has flip-flopped on the gambling issue a number of times, and now she is in support of the casino style gambling."
Senator Harri Anne Smith denies changing her stance.
"I've never flip-flopped on that issue. I tried to give the people of the Wiregrass a chance to vote on the issue, and when it was dead I let people know, and I've been consistent with that."
On Thursday, Ronnie Gilley also said that Representative Love asked him for support and campaign contributions in the past.
The Jay Love campaign tells News 4 that Love met with Gilley, but they say they didn't ask for anything.
"He shared with him his adamant opposition to gambling and that he certainly didn't believe that Vegas-style gambling should definitely not be a part of that economic development division," Lowry says.

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