Twitter battle erupts as Ashby is scrutinized over oil donations by Jones' campaign

One contentious issue in the race between Angelique Ashby and Dave Jones for California State Senate District 8 has been the role of oil money. Specifically, the Jones campaign has targeted Ashby for the support her campaign is receiving from oil company-funded independent expenditure committees. 

Campaign laws prohibit candidates and their staff from coordinating advertising or strategy with independent expenditure committees. However, independent committees can, on their own, support or oppose any candidate.

This is what is happening with the Ashby campaign. From the primary to the general election, oil money has independently supported Ashby and attacked Jones.

For their part, the Jones campaign has accused Ashby of being an oil industry tool. This week, Ashby responded to repeated criticism.

Ashby posted this statement on Twitter:

🧵THREAD about independent expenditures in #SD8 race:

I have not taken money from Big Oil. I have no control over independent expenditure committees. In fact, that would be illegal.

To be clear, I denounce support from Big Oil. (1/4)

— Angelique Ashby (@AshbyForSenate) October 12, 2022

Not surprisingly, a Jones campaign worker struck back, claiming that one of Ashby's contributions was funded by Chevron.

If @AngeliqueAshby actually didn't want Big Oil's money, she'd give it back! She took $4,900 from a Chevron-funded PAC. 4 oil companies are spending $1.2 million to support her. It'd be easier to believe this is a big misunderstanding if she didn't have their money in her pockets https://t.co/EjO7OEQFrN

— Michael Soneff (@Soneff) October 13, 2022

And as if to prove campaign workers are never void of snark, consider this Tweet about a reported oil industry-affiliated person who made a $500 donation to the Ashby campaign. Undoubtedly this oil war will continue now through the completion of this election cycle. 

Oh what do you know? EVEN MORE OIL MONEY FOR ASHBY, this time from Big Oil's lawyer. Though this $500 is nothing compared to the $1.2 million they're spending on TV to support her.

— Michael Soneff (@Soneff) October 14, 2022

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