Epstein Victim's Family Targets Colorado Rep. Crank in Midterm Ad

Key points

• Sky Roberts and Amanda Roberts, relatives of Virginia Giuffre, appeared in an ad supporting Democrat Jessica Killin against Rep. Jeff Crank in Colorado.
• The ad claims Crank refused to meet with the family in Washington and initially voted against releasing Epstein files, though he later supported the measure.
• Crank's campaign responded by calling the ad 'intentionally vague' and accusing the Democratic side of exploiting a grieving family.
• The Roberts family has been active in lobbying against the confirmation of Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche and criticizing DOJ restrictions on file releases.
• The New York Times identified 35 congressional races with ads mentioning Epstein, though most reference the 'Epstein class' rather than specific voting records.

Background

Virginia Giuffre, a key accuser in the Jeffrey Epstein case, died by suicide in 2025. Her relatives have become vocal advocates for transparency regarding Epstein files, previously testifying before the Senate judiciary committee and attending the State of the Union address. The current midterm cycle has seen increased political focus on Epstein, with Democrats using the issue to critique Republican handling of the files, despite the administration's lack of direct involvement in Epstein's crimes.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and The Washington Post report the core facts of the ad and Crank's initial vote against the files, noting his later support. The New York Times provides broader context, identifying 35 races with Epstein-related ads but noting that many do not reference specific voting reversals. The Guardian emphasizes the Roberts family's broader political activism, including their opposition to the Attorney General nominee and criticism of DOJ restrictions. Crank's campaign, as reported by The Washington Post, disputes the ad's accuracy, claiming staff met with the family and that the ad is misleading.

Why it matters

The ad illustrates how the Epstein case has become a political tool in the 2026 midterms, particularly in competitive races. It highlights tensions between congressional voting records on transparency and constituent engagement, and reflects the broader Democratic strategy of linking Republican positions on Epstein to broader critiques of 'Washington cronyism.' The incident also underscores the ongoing public demand for accountability regarding Epstein's network, despite the lack of direct legal charges against high-profile figures like Donald Trump.

What to watch

The Colorado race between Crank and Killin remains competitive, with the ad likely to influence voter sentiment in the final weeks of the campaign. The Roberts family may continue to engage in political advocacy, potentially targeting other races or officials. The broader use of Epstein in ads may expand as the election cycle progresses, though the effectiveness of such ads in non-competitive races remains uncertain.