The controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein continues to play a significant role in the 2026 election cycle, with Democrats extensively using the scandal in attack advertisements targeting Republican candidates. Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in jail in 2019 after facing sex trafficking charges, was a former associate of President Donald Trump. Though his case no longer dominates headlines, his name remains a key point of contention in closely contested races.

Democrats have focused on Republican senators and House members who initially opposed legislation to release federal records related to Epstein. These ads also allege that some Republicans received campaign donations from wealthy individuals linked to Epstein. According to AdImpact data, Democrats have spent about $53 million on ads mentioning Epstein in competitive races, compared to roughly $3 million by Republicans. The campaign frames the scandal as emblematic of broader questions about corruption and inequality, arguing that wealthy figures like Epstein avoid accountability while ordinary citizens face hardship.

In response, some Republicans have pushed back against these claims. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, who is running for the Senate, released a direct-to-camera ad denying any protection of pedophiles amid accusations tied to her donors’ presence in Epstein documents. Experts caution that being named in the files does not imply guilt, and most individuals mentioned have not been formally accused of wrongdoing.

The issue resonates with voters amid widespread concerns about corruption, which recently topped a Fox News poll over inflation and gas prices. A June Quinnipiac University survey found that 38 percent of respondents considered the Epstein investigation important in their voting decisions, comparable to other significant factors like data centers and Donald Trump’s influence.

Prominent Democrats are using the scandal to underscore their commitment to accountability. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, running in a Republican-leaning district, highlighted her vote to release the Epstein files while pledging not to relent until perpetrators face justice.

Republican officials have criticized the ads, suggesting they aim to suppress turnout by discouraging supporters. They contend the messaging particularly targets young or infrequent voters who generally distrust politicians, with Trump as an exception. Initially resistant, Trump eventually supported releasing the Epstein records amid public pressure. The files include numerous references to Trump, who was connected to Epstein until around 2004; Trump himself contested Epstein’s hiring of young women at his spa.

The Epstein revelations have also galvanized activists who have disrupted recent Trump and Vice President JD Vance events, echoing protest tactics last seen in 2016. Two anti-Trump organizations have launched a traveling exhibit of physical Epstein files, appearing in key battleground states to raise awareness. Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, along with Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Maxwell Frost, participated in an event in Detroit featuring survivors of Epstein’s abuse.

Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska has sought to counterattack by accusing his Democratic challenger of accepting donations from Epstein associates. His opponent’s campaign rebutted that the contributions were either incidental or donated to charity. Sullivan emphasized his record in defending survivors and his vote to release the files.

In Ohio, Democrats have allocated $5.2 million in ads targeting Sen. Jon Husted over donations connected to Epstein associate billionaire Les Wexner, who has denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Similarly, in Kansas, a substantial portion of Democratic ad spending has criticized Sen. Roger Marshall for his initial opposition to the disclosure of Epstein documents, which he called a political stunt.

In Colorado, House Democrats aired an ad featuring Virginia Giuffre’s brother, a prominent Epstein victim who died in 2025, criticizing Rep. Jeff Crank for declining to meet with the family. Crank’s campaign responded with ads underscoring his eventual vote to release the files and highlighting personal testimonials.

Some attacks stretch the Epstein association beyond direct links. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico accused Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton of proposing an “Epstein-style sweetheart deal” for a child predator, referencing a controversial plea arrangement. Paxton defended the deal, noting the accused served time and that prosecutors chose the plea due to the victim’s unwillingness to testify.

The continued invocation of Epstein underscores the persistent political and cultural fallout from the scandal, with candidates on both sides seeking to leverage or rebut its implications as they vie for votes in an election cycle marked by heightened attention to corruption and accountability.