In North Carolina, America Rising’s research efforts played a pivotal role in exposing Deborah Ross’s radical record as a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union during the 1990s. America Rising’s field researchers spent weeks combing through archived records and pulled more than 16,000 pages of records, including memos, letters, schedules, and other correspondence. Analysts then identified research hits, such as Ross’s opposition to a statewide sex offender registry, for its clients that reinforced established narratives that Ross’s previous work at the ACLU was out of touch with North Carolina voters.
In addition, America Rising pulled amicus briefs in North Carolina and Pennsylvania that Ross filed in the defense of a convicted sex offender. America Rising’s clients featured the research exposing Ross’s radical record in earned and paid media campaigns. Ross’s insurgent and well-funded campaign against Senator Richard Burr ended in defeat by six percentage points, helping Republicans maintain control of the Senate.
