Orange County GOP Criticizes Democratic Mailer Featuring Banana Imagery

The Orange County Republican Party has launched a sharp criticism against a political mailer distributed by the California Democratic Party. The advertisement, which targets Republican Assembly candidate Gracey Van Der Mark, features an image of a cluster of bananas with a photo of the candidate styled as a sticker logo. The party argues that the visual design is intended to evoke the well-known Chiquita banana brand, a choice they describe as a racially degrading trope.

The controversy emerged after the Orange County GOP shared images of the mailer on social media on Thursday, October 22. The mailer was paid for by the California Democratic Party to oppose Van Der Mark, who is running against Democrat Chris Kluwe for the Assembly District 72 seat. The front of the advertisement displays the text, "There’s a word for Gracey Van Der Mark’s Extreme Agenda…" next to the banana imagery. The back of the piece continues the theme, stating, "She wants you to forget her extreme agenda but Van Der Mark’s record is absolutely Bananas…"

In their social media posts, the Republican party alleged that the imagery relies on racist tropes. They issued a statement condemning the mailer in the strongest possible terms, calling it a toxic form of identity-based mockery that has no place in the current campaign. The party emphasized their dissatisfaction with the way the Democratic Party chose to visually represent the candidate.

A spokesperson for the California Democratic Party confirmed via email on Friday that the party funded the advertisement. Melanie Ramil, the party’s executive director, defended the choice in a statement, arguing that the mailer primarily questions Van Der Mark’s political record rather than her heritage. Ramil stated that while the mailer calls the candidate's record "bananas," it is a polite way of describing a record that is bigoted, corrupt, and extreme. She further noted that Van Der Mark’s ties to violent extremist groups have already been condemned by civil rights groups.

Ramil also directed the criticism back at the Republicans, suggesting they are using the mailer as a distraction. She argued that if the Orange County GOP truly cared about the Latino American community, they would focus on condemning the unconstitutional ICE operations terrorizing communities across the state. She concluded that voters will not be deceived by what she described as a desperate attempt by Republicans to shift attention away from real work.

Van Der Mark responded to the criticism in a statement on Friday, acknowledging that she is accustomed to attacks but finding this particular instance unacceptable. As a Huntington Beach City Councilmember and the daughter of an Ecuadorian immigrant, she expressed pride in her heritage and working-class roots. She stated that she would not be distracted by the attacks and remains focused on fighting for California families, safer communities, and a more affordable future. She added that producing racially motivated content is wrong and that the California Democratic Party should be ashamed of its distribution.

Democratic challenger Chris Kluwe, an former NFL player turned small business owner and author, believes the Orange County GOP is taking the image out of context. He suggested that the party is manufacturing controversy because they know they are in trouble and face the possibility of losing a seat currently held by a Republican. Kluwe noted that the mailer refers to the candidate's actions as an elected official, using the common idiom that something is "bananas" when it is crazy or out of control.

Kluwe argued that the party is trying to draw attention away from the fact that the district was supposed to be a safe Republican seat. He claimed the Republicans are now scrambling because their candidate's record shows she does not serve the local community. The Assembly District 72 seat encompasses several coastal and inland communities, including Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Woods, and Lake Forest.