Midterm election advertising is heavily featuring accusations of protecting pedophiles and child sexual abusers, a strategy employed by both Republicans and Democrats. This trend is fueled by the enduring impact of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and ongoing distrust of powerful figures, bringing child sexual abuse allegations to the forefront of political discourse. Over $70 million has been spent on TV ads since September 1 addressing these issues, with both parties sponsoring a significant number of these commercials. The contentious Senate race in Kansas exemplifies this, with Democrats attacking Senator Roger Marshall and a conservative group targeting his Democratic opponent over past handling of abuse allegations. In Texas, Democrats are running ads against Attorney General Ken Paxton concerning a plea deal offered in a child sexual abuse case. Similarly, North Carolina Democrats are accusing a Republican Senate candidate of appointing a convicted sex offender to a state committee. Pollsters suggest these character-based attacks resonate with voters, especially given recent polling indicating negative impacts for candidates associated with mishandling such allegations. Republicans are increasingly using these attacks to shift focus from economic issues and put Democrats on the defensive. The Epstein scandal, some analysts believe, amplified suspicions that powerful individuals are shielded, making child-related allegations particularly impactful due to a broader collapse of institutional trust.