PAC mounts $70,000 mission to defeat Sultana in 136th Democratic primary
Sultana says ‘smear tactics’ behind PAC funded by single Republican donor
A recently formed political action committee is spending $70,000 in the two weeks before Tuesday’s primary with its sole mission to defeat Taiba Sultana in her bid to unseat fellow Democrat state Rep. Robert Freeman in the 136th District.
The amount of money and the timing of the spending – PA Citizens PAC was registered – are likely unprecedented in a state legislative race in the Lehigh Valley.
In addition, the PAC is financed entirely by one person – Raymond G. Lahoud, an immigration attorney and a Republican who lives in Upper Saucon Township, which is not part of the 136th.
PA Citizens PAC has used digital media, robo calls and yard signs in its media blitz opposing Sultana. Some yard signs describe her as “crazy, chaotic and criminal.”
Sultana, an Easton City Councilwoman, is Freeman’s first primary challenger since his election in 1982.
In a telephone interview Friday afternoon, Lahoud, who considers himself politically moderate, said forming the PAC was a last-minute decision.
He expects Freeman to win, but added, “I have some serious concerns about Sultana and her behavior.” After watching her during City Council meetings, he said, “She's very disruptive, … chaotic.”
Asked for comment, Sultana, who is a Muslim, pointed to a statement her campaign issued.
PA Citizens PAC is engaging in “rhetoric and fear-mongering” to undermine her integrity and vision as a candidate – someone who “represents progress, inclusivity, and equality for all,” the statement said.
“By targeting a minority progressive candidate, they are perpetuating harmful stereotypes and attempting to silence voices that challenge the status quo.”
The statement continued, “The smear tactics … only serve to reinforce the urgency of electing leaders who prioritize the well-being of all constituents, regardless of race, background, or beliefs.”
Lahoud said his PAC operates independently from Freeman, whom he admires.
“This is completely independent of Bob. Actually, I have not spoken to Bob throughout the entire election cycle,” he said.
Freeman confirmed that his campaign is unaffiliated with the PAC.
“My campaign is not associated with the group that put up the signs. My campaign has no involvement with them,” he said in a text message Friday to Armchair Lehigh Valley.
Lahoud, asked if the PAC’s tactics go too far in criticizing a candidate, said no. “I don't think it's crossing a line.”
The PAC’s campaign against Sultana comes on the heels of her acceptance in March into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition probation program in Northampton County Court after she was charged with harassment and simple assault last summer over a domestic incident.
Sultana has stated she is not a criminal and does not have a criminal record.
Sultana enters probation program for charges filed last year for a domestic incident
As previously reported, she said she chose ARD “to protect my family from the vicious attacks of those in power as well as keep my voice so that I can fight for my family and yours.”
At the March 13 Easton City Council meeting, police Chief Carl Scalzo Jr. defended his department’s handling of her arrest, showing the body camera video of the incident, where officers discussed being obligated to file misdemeanor charges and about the need to alert superiors about the pending arrest of a council member.
PA Citizens PAC said on its Facebook page that they were alerted by police about two individuals spray painting a sign belonging to the group.
The county District Attorney’s Office approved charging Sultana’s daughter, Imaan Malik, 19, with corruption of minors for her alleged role in defacing the political sign in Easton, according to a press release issued Thursday. The press release did not detail exactly what happened.
Sultana said two of her children filed a complaint with Easton Police, that, in part, is “against those who designed, printed, and published these signs.”
The complaint said, “These defamatory yard signs have labeled my mother, Taiba Sultana, a criminal. These signs damage not only personal and professional reputations but also cause irreparable losses to our entire family.”
The injection of $70,000 into the campaign exceeds the total of what the Freeman and Sultana campaigns spent so far.
Combined they have spent more than $50,000 from their own campaigns on the race. The bulk of the spending came from in-kind contributions with Freeman receiving $23,870 and Sultana bringing in $21,324 in donated services, according to pre-primary campaign finance reports for the period ending April 8.
Spending tops $50,000 in Freeman-Sultana race in 136th District
Lahoud gave PA Citizens PAC $45,000 on April 8 and 25,000 on April 12.
So far, the PAC spent $27,788 from April 8 to April 17 for consulting, polling, digital media buys, automated phone calls and text messages, and yard signs. The PAC intends to spend the balance of the money before the primary.
The 136th District comprises Easton, Wilson, parts of Palmer Township, Williams Township, Glendon, West Easton, Freemansburg, Hellertown and parts of Lower Saucon.