New ad targets Duncan and Timmons over allegations of extramarital relationships

A new political group, Restore Our Values, released a radio ad last week targeting two Upstate congressmen whose personal lives became public following allegations of extramarital relationships.

The ad focused on U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan and U.S. Rep. William Timmons, who oversee the 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts spanning parts of Anderson, Laurens, Greenville, and Spartanburg Counties, and said the accusations against them conflicted with the "family values" the two campaigned on.

It is rare for an ad to attack not one but two sitting U.S. House members at the same time. The one-minute ad was the brainchild of Spartanburg-based GOP consultant Sean Wise, the founder of Restore Our Values.

Over email and the phone, Wise said the newly-formed Upstate-based group wanted to "make sure that truth is shared with voters so they have the facts to decide and politicians are held accountable."

The group spent a gross amount of $2,096 for the ads slated to run between Dec. 12 to Dec. 14, across eight spots on WYRD FM.

What to know about Restore Our Values and the ad

Restore Our Values had two other chief officers aside from Wise, Aaron Talmadge, a Greenville-based realtor and Ken Murphy, as per public records. Calls to Talmadge and Murphy were not immediately returned.

Wise said the group was motivated to release the ad after the controversy surrounding Duncan's family life became public over the summer. This came at a time when the U.S. Congress was debating spending cuts as a government shutdown neared.

Back then, Duncan said he would not comment on personal matters and would instead work on legislating as a government shutdown drew closer. "We realized that just a couple of months before, he voted to raise the debt ceiling.  He was now saying he would shut down the government for spending too much," Wise said, adding that Duncan's position on the shutdown was a distraction from the news of his alleged affair.

"He would do and say anything just to stay in power," Wise said.

In the Upstate's ruby-red politics, social issues and questions of morality have often played a big role in campaigning. For years, Duncan's signature Faith and Freedom BBQ, a major Republican fundraising event, has proven to be an influential campaign platform for the longtime congressman. He has always portrayed himself as a dedicated, dutiful husband and advocated for traditional family values in his speeches.

Duncan's campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Wise said the conversation then turned to Timmons, whose own issues circled his candidacy in the 2022 elections. After the elections, Timmons and his wife announced their separation.

"It was embarrassing. These Congressmen had become an embarrassment," Wise said.

He compared the two congressmen to the previous tenures of officials and said Duncan and Timmons made those "who stand up for family values look bad like it is all just for show."

"We all make mistakes, but I was raised on the basic principle of admitting your wrongs and taking accountability for your actions," Wise said. "My mama taught me to take responsibility for my actions, but neither of these two politicians have repented or shown the slightest hint of remorse."

Ad sets stage for two tense congressional races next year

The ad comes nearly a month after S.C. Freedom Caucus Chair Adam Morgan announced he will be challenging Timmons for the 4th Congressional District in the GOP primary. Meanwhile, challengers vying to unseat Duncan are yet to announce their presence.

Luke Byars, senior adviser to the Timmons campaign, linked Morgan's campaign with the ad.

“It’s sick that Adam Morgan’s secret, dark money supporters are polluting our airways with such trash during the Christmas season. I hope no children are listening," Byars said in a press statement to the Greenville News. "We call on Rep. Morgan to immediately denounce this radio ad; if not, he endorses it.”

Morgan said Timmons' campaign was attempting to shift the conversation from the congressman's "scandal-scarred tenure in Washington" and that it was a sign of politicians willing to do or say anything to stay in office. "There is no connection between my campaign and the ad, and he knows it," Morgan said.

Meanwhile, Wise said the group was not endorsing Morgan. "I, for one, have never even met or talked to Adam Morgan," Wise said over email.

Devyani Chhetri covers SC politics for The News. Reach her via email at dchhetri@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: New ad targets Duncan, Timmons over infidelity allegations