Democratic PAC runs ads against GOP Senate hopeful Hawley

In this June 23, 2017 photo, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley speaks during a graduation ceremony for state troopers at Highway Patrol headquarters in Jefferson City. (Photograph courtesy of Brenda Campbell/Missouri Highway Patrol)
In this June 23, 2017 photo, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley speaks during a graduation ceremony for state troopers at Highway Patrol headquarters in Jefferson City. (Photograph courtesy of Brenda Campbell/Missouri Highway Patrol)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Democratic political action committee is airing ads accusing Republican U.S. Senate candidate Josh Hawley of botching a review of use of a message-deleting app by the Republican governor's office.

Senate Majority PAC launched the $500,000 ad buy against attorney general Hawley Tuesday. Hawley's running for Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill's seat.

Hawley's office found no evidence of wrongdoing after reviewing use of the Confide app in Gov. Eric Greitens' office.

The Democratic ad says Hawley "came to the governor's rescue" and proclaimed him innocent. It also notes that Greitens donated to Hawley's attorney general campaign. Greitens' campaign gave Hawley about $49,000 in in-kind contributions.

Hawley's office has defended the review, and a top investigator has said he would have resigned if asked to reach a specific conclusion based on politics.