As Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh testified before U.S. senators today, Pittsburghers might have noticed a billboard on route 30 in North Huntingdon.
"Judge Kavanaugh is a good man. Democrat accusers; Paid LIARS," it read.
Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault when they were in high school 35 years ago. Kavanaugh has denied the claims. Both Ford and Kavanaugh testified in front of the senate judiciary committee today.
As that live-streamed testimony drew the attention of millions of Americans, one 76-year-old woman called into to C-Span during a break in Ford’s testimony to share her story of sexual assault.
"I'm a 76-year-old woman who was sexually molested in second grade,” said the woman from Missouri. “This brings back so much pain. Thought I was over it but it's not. You will never forget it. You get confused and you don't understand it but you never forget what happened to you."
A picture of the billboard, which sits on route 30, was sent to City Paper. The billboard also displays a graphic reading "Vote Republican." Penneco Outdoor Advertising owns the billboard.
Ben Wallace, an executive at Penneco, says the sign was purchased by Citizens for American Energy, a super PAC based in Delmont, Pa., in Westmoreland County.
The billboard appears to insinuate Ford and the other women who have accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault are liars. When asked if this is appropriate, given the trauma sexual assault can cause victims, Wallace said “it is free speech.”
Wallace added that his interpretation of the sign wasn't that Ford is a liar, but that the liars were “the Democrat” politicians.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Citizens for American Energy has paid $5,400 to Penneco. The top donor to the super PAC is Delmont’s Penneco Land Company LLC, which has given $42,000 since 2016. It's unclear if Penneco Land Company is affiliated with Penneco Outdoor Advertising.
This billboard has a history of support for conservative causes. Pictures sent to CP show the billboard has recently displayed ads supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Lou Barletta.
In addition to purchasing billboards, Citizens for American Energy PAC also donates to Republican politicians in Southwestern Pennsylvania. U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-Sewickley) received $2,000 from the PAC for the 2018 midterms. In 2010, state Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) received $500, according to campaign-finance records.
Though not given directly to the candidate, Citizens for American Energy spent $5,400 for state Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Elizabeth), who unsuccessfully ran for congress against U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Mount Lebanon) in March. The PAC also spent $1,400 this year in support of state Sen. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Jefferson Hills) who is running for U.S. Congress.
Republican senators have scheduled a vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation for Friday.
Update: Campaign-finance reports shows Citizens for American Energy PAC shares same address address as Penneco Outdoor Advertising: 6608 route 22, Delmont, Pa. Additionally, the PAC's treasurer, Terrance Jacobs, is listed as the CEO of Penneco Oil Company, an oil company that also shares an address with Penneco Outdoor Advertising and Citizens for American Energy PAC.
North Huntingdon billboard in support of Brett Kavanaugh says ‘Democrat accusers’ are ‘paid liars’
The billboard was purchased by Citizens for American Energy super PAC, which supports local Republicans.
