Yesterday, Josh Gottheimer’s campaign released a graphic on social media attacking his opponent’s interaction with people “not wearing masks or social distancing.” The graphic contains a doctored photo of Republican Frank Pallotta with his face darkened and a certain shadow cast over him that has been labeled racist and xenophobic.

Pallotta’s campaign coalition, Italian Americans for Pallotta, has released a statement condemning Josh Gottheimer for this “mob boss” depiction of the Republican candidate. “I find it very interesting that the Democrat Party points fingers at Republicans for inequality, yet they have no problem making obvious mob references and perpetuating these obscene epithets that seek to paint Italian Americans with a broad brush."