INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A new campaign ad for Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Braun features a digitally altered image of Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick that suggests she opposes gas stoves.

Braun's campaign released the original version of the commercial, retracted it, and replaced it with a version that included the disclaimer that “elements of this media have been digitally altered or artificially created.” The warning was not included in the original.

Both versions contain an altered version of a photo taken by Greg Swiercz of the South Bend Tribune in 2023.

In the original, McCormick's supporters can be seen in the background holding up their campaign signs. The altered image replaces the signs with fake signs that read “No Gas Stoves!”

The signs in the altered image also show what looks like a coffee maker circled and crossed out.

Braun's campaign did not respond to 21Alive News' requests for an interview about the ad, but later sent out a statement about the ad that did not mention the altered image. It reads in part:

“Democrat Jennifer McCormick supported liberals Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for president and their spending policies that have cost Hoosier families thousands in runaway inflation. Additionally, McCormick has touted on her website that Indiana should join the United States Climate Alliance, which is calling for a ban on gas stoves.”

Evan Westrup, communications director for the United States Climate Alliance, said it was “disappointing to see the Braun campaign mislead and deceive the public.”

“The U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 24 U.S. governors, has not “called for a ban on gas stoves,” and any claim that a new member would be required to do so is simply false,” Westrup said. “The reality is that our members continue to deliver more emissions and air pollution reductions, more energy savings and more economic growth than the rest of the country.”

McCormick's campaign and the Indiana Democratic Party have since responded to the ad, complaining that the original version violates House Enrolled Act 1133, a bill regulating the use of digitally altered media in elections that took effect in March.

“Mike Braun has repeatedly shown that he is willing to game the system, and now he may have violated election laws again. Hoosiers deserve better than a governor who plays fast and loose with the law,” said McCormick campaign manager Kelly Wittman. “Voters deserve leaders who represent honesty and accountability – qualities that Braun lacks.”

A statement from Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl said, in part:

“It is clear that Braun does not follow the rules. He would rather change an image of Hoosiers without their permission than tell the truth. He only wants to be elected to serve his special interest donors, and he will do anything to denigrate an opponent. Hoosiers deserve honesty and transparency from their elected officials, especially in the wake of the state’s $1 billion Medicaid deficit, which has left too many vulnerable families seeking care.”

McCormick also confirmed the ad on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports that Josh Kelley, a senior adviser for Braun's campaign, said the ad complied with HEA 1133, adding that “an earlier version was incorrectly delivered to television stations and is being replaced with the correct version.”

Kelley also claimed that Braun was the first candidate to comply with the new law, “even though his opponent changed his appearance in her paid ads without a disclaimer.”

The gubernatorial election will take place on November 5th.