Bridget Barton takes an untraditional approach to political campaigning with a provocative new ad.

Bridget Barton, a West Linn-based Republican candidate for governor of Oregon and self-identified political outsider, has released an eye-catching and unconventional campaign video aimed at criticising the state of modern politics. The ad features Barton playing a schoolyard game of H-O-R-S-E, using basketball metaphors to symbolise what she views as systemic failures in governance.

Barton’s ad takes a sharp, satirical approach. With each missed basketball shot, she spells out political grievances, including “insanely high prices on gas, cartel heroin killing our kids” (H), “outrageous mandates, shortages, gun violence” (O), and other pressing issues affecting American families. Concluding her ad, Barton states bluntly: “Everyone knows, you get the same horse s** electing the same stale politicians,”* as she hoopes a basketball around her waist in a symbolic flourish.

The ad, which taps into a populist, post-Trump tone of political rhetoric, reflects a strategy to grab attention in the crowded field of Republican candidates vying for Oregon’s governorship. Barton’s approach mirrors other GOP candidates’ attempts to resonate with disaffected voters through highly visual, headline-grabbing media.

In an extra effort to engage, Barton has amplified her campaign by challenging professional basketball players—including NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley—as well as American country music stars like Jason Aldean and Toby Keith, to join her in a game of H-O-R-S-E. Her quirky outreach highlights her willingness to push boundaries and find creative ways to stand out.

Currently, Barton is competing in a field of dozens of contenders seeking the governorship, as per Ballotpedia’s analysis. Her bold video is generating mixed responses on social media—ranging from intrigue to amusement—indicating that Barton’s strategy may be successful in sparking attention and debate in Oregon’s 2022 political landscape.