The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has rolled out a new paid advertising campaign aimed squarely at Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), branding him a radical tied to “Project 2026,” a plan Republicans say would fundamentally reshape the country in destructive ways.
The digital ad, released this week, ties Vasquez to high-profile national Democrats such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Dina Titus, and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist. Republicans argue that Vasquez is aligned with this wing of the Democratic Party and will push policies that hurt working families.
“If Gabe Vasquez were to get his way, the result would be tax hikes on working families, impeaching President Trump, a border invasion, defunding the police, and turning America into a socialist, crime-filled dystopia. House Republicans are the only thing standing between you and the nightmare of ‘Project 2026.’” said NRCC spokesman Zach Bannon in a statement announcing the campaign.
The ad features a clip of Vasquez from before his election to Congress in which he advocates defunding the police, a position Republicans have frequently highlighted as proof of his radical record. The video does not name Vasquez but instead places him alongside prominent left-wing Democrats and socialist figures to underscore the NRCC’s message that he is part of a broader ideological movement.
According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, which first reported on the ad, the NRCC is running the spot exclusively on digital platforms. The piece notes that while Vasquez’s police-defunding clip has circulated in the past, Republicans continue to use it to highlight what they view as his dangerous positions on law enforcement and public safety.
The ad begins with the phrase: “Project 2026. Hakeem Jeffries’ plan to remake America. Raise taxes on working families, impeach President Trump.” The video then shifts to snippets of Democratic leaders, culminating with Mamdani declaring, “We are unapologetic about our socialism.”
Fox News reported the ad is part of a larger NRCC strategy targeting 25 vulnerable House Democrats ahead of the midterms, with Republicans warning voters of what they describe as the Democratic agenda for 2026.
The NRCC’s strategy reflects broader Republican efforts to frame the upcoming elections as a choice between stability and chaos, portraying Democrats like Vasquez as threats to economic security and public safety. With New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District expected to be competitive, Vasquez has become a top target for GOP messaging.
By linking Vasquez to “Project 2026,” Republicans hope to draw attention to issues of taxes, immigration, crime, and law enforcement—issues they believe will resonate with voters concerned about the direction of the country. The ad underscores the NRCC’s intent to nationalize the race and tie local Democrats to the most controversial figures in their party.
As NRCC spokesman Zach Bannon emphasized: “House Republicans are the only thing standing between you and the nightmare of ‘Project 2026.’”