What Role Did Negative Ads Play in the 1990 Gubernatorial

question 56

Multiple Choice

What role did negative ads play in the 1990 gubernatorial race between Democrat Ann Richards and Republican Clayton Williams?

• A) Despite spending millions for his controlled media events, Williams was still defeated by Richards who used ads that painted Williams in a negative light.
• B) Richards won despite negative ads used against her, but public fury over the use of negative ads in 1990 led to legislation prohibiting them the following year.
• C) Because of the intensity of negative ads and the public outcry against them, both candidates were banned from using them two months prior to the election.
• D) The intensity of negative ads in the 1990 race and issues over defamation of character produced by them led the Federal Election Commission to block them.
• E) Negative ads were repeatedly use by both campaigns, though the ads used by Williams were considered racist and helped turn public opinion against him.

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Definitions:

Intestacy Laws

Legal provisions that dictate the distribution of a deceased person's estate in the absence of a will.

Per Stirpes

is a legal term used in wills and estate planning that describes how assets are divided among heirs, according to branches of the family.

Intestacy Laws

The body of law that governs the distribution of a deceased person's estate when they die without a valid will.

Estate

The collective assets and liabilities of a person, especially considered in the context of their will or the administration of their property after death.