COTA Chair Pulls IndyAustin PAC After Anti-Semitic Political Ad

Bobby Epstein

Circuit of the Americas Chair BOBBY EPSTEIN has "pulled all financial support from the political action committee IndyAustin after the PAC posted a political ad that featured a symbol associated with the alt-right and anti-Semitism," according to a front-page piece by Philip Jankowski of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN.

IndyAustin is "opposed to a recent deal" between Precourt Sports Ventures and the city to build an MLS stadium on the city-owned McKalla Place tract in North Austin. Last week, IndyAustin posted a "campaign video to the internet that opposed STEVE ADLER's re-election as Austin’s mayor."

According to the Anti-Defamation League, the video "included an image of Pepe the Frog, a cartoonish character that has been featured in anti-Semitic and racist internet memes and literature."

The video has since been "edited to remove the image." Until yesterday, Epstein had "supported IndyAustin’s efforts to force a vote on the city’s stadium deal with PSV through a citizen petition."

According to a campaign finance report IndyAustin filed on Oct. 22, Epstein "gave $24,000 to the PAC." AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN,