Several Democratic candidates campaigning for seats in the US Congress are increasingly using the controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein to attack their Republican opponents ahead of the midterm elections. Democrats have accused GOP rivals of shielding wealthy and politically connected figures linked to the late financier, branding them part of the “Epstein class” in a broader effort to portray Republicans as defenders of elite interests.
The issue has become part of the Democrats’ wider strategy to regain control of Congress from the Republican Party. Although President Donald Trump has frequently accused Democrats of maintaining ties to Epstein, his own administration has faced growing scrutiny over its handling of the so-called Epstein files. Critics, including some Republicans, have alleged that the Department of Justice concealed important information through extensive redactions in documents released late last year and earlier this year.
In Ohio’s closely watched Senate race, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown has repeatedly aired a television advertisement targeting Republican rival Jon Husted. The ad claims Husted received more campaign contributions from Epstein associates than any other member of Congress. It specifically references billionaire Leslie Wexner, a longtime associate of Epstein, alleging that Husted accepted over $116,000 from Wexner and later voted against releasing the Epstein files.
A similar line of attack has emerged in Maine, where Democratic candidate Graham Platner has aired advertisements accusing Republican Senator Susan Collins of siding with “the president and the Epstein class” instead of voters. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff has also used the controversy to criticize the Trump administration, describing it as part of a corrupt political elite connected to Epstein.
Republicans have rejected the accusations. Speaking to Axios, Republican National Committee spokesperson Kiersten Pels dismissed the Democratic attacks as “cynical political theater” from a party lacking both a message and credibility.
The Epstein controversy has also exposed tensions within the Republican Party itself. Representative Thomas Massie, who partnered with Democrat Ro Khanna to support the Epstein Files Transparency Act, suggested his efforts to push for disclosure placed him at odds with Trump. Massie recently lost a Kentucky primary to Trump-backed Republican Ed Gallrein, whose campaign received backing from influential groups including American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the Republican Jewish Coalition.