Messenger: Republican Governors Association

Candidate: Jared Polis

Contest: Governor

Affiliation: D

Date delivered: Sept. 6, 2018

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Message type: tv ad

Message tone: negative

About the message:

The latest ad from the Republican Governors Association attacks Democratic Congressman Jared Polis for not paying taxes for five years before being elected to Congress in 2008, saying he was "caught." As the Denver Post noted, the Polis campaign responded noting that he released seven years of tax returns when he first ran for Congress. They also note that the quote "that's ... completely appropriate" is taken out of context, having been preceded by the explanation that his expenses had been greater than his income, thus a reduced tax burden.

It should be noted that when The Colorado Independent asked candidates earlier this year about releasing their tax returns in the current election cycle, both Polis and Republican nominee Walker Stapleton were non-commital.

Here's the transcript from the current RGA ad: "For five years, though, before you entered Congress, you paid no federal income tax.” Uh-oh. “and have used onshore and offshore Cayman Island accounts to avoid paying taxes.”
 “I think that’s, you know, completely appropriate.”
Jared Polis didn’t pay income taxes, but he wants to raise yours. Higher income taxes, Higher energy taxes. High taxes on everyone. Except maybe… Jared Polis.

About the messenger:

The Republican Governors Association is a political nonprofit, or 527, that advocates for GOP candidates and against Democratic candidates around the nation.

The messenger's money:

The state RGA is supported by the national group, which has contributed $1.3 million through August. The national group reports quarterly to the IRS. Among its large Colorado donors are Encana Corp. at $101,350, Whiting Petroleum at $100,450 and the Anschutz Corp. at $100,000