Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle’s new TV ad counters claims made in her Democratic opponent’s recent spot that highlights her signing on to the so-called “forcible rape” measure in Congress.

The ad, called “Shameless” excoriates Maffei, who lost to Buerkle in 2010, for “using the victims of rape and sexual assault as props in a political campaign” according to the the Republican’s campaign.

Buerkle was a co-sponsor of a bill that would deny public money for womens contraceptive programs, with the no-so-subtle name “No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion” bill.

The measure included language on “forcible rape” exemptions, which were quickly pounced on for weakening criminal laws regarding sexual assaults. Republican backers of the bill later removed that language.

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