Ohio Senate Candidate Uses AI Mailer to Target Opponent

Craig Riedel, a candidate for the Ohio Senate, used artificial intelligence to produce a deceptive campaign mailer targeting his opponent, Jim Hoops. The mailer featured an edited photograph where Mayor Josh Duslak and State Representative Roy Klopfenstein were removed and replaced with images of drag queens. This manipulation was intended to falsely imply that Hoops supports transgender males competing in women's sports.

Supporters of Jim Hoops responded by pointing to his actual legislative record as a sponsor of Ohio House Bill 68. That specific legislation prohibits transgender males from participating in women's sports and bans gender-affirming care for minors. The controversy unfolded during the campaign period leading up to the May 5 election.