AP, WASHINGTON
It is not just the presidential election: Foreign governments are targeting House of Representatives and Senate races around the US in their effort to meddle with democracy this election year, intelligence officials said on Monday.
Russia and China have launched influence operations designed to help or hurt candidates in specific congressional races. Without giving specifics about the number of affected races, an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said that both nations have zeroed in on races where they believe they have a national security interest at stake.
Other smaller nations might be trying their own influence operations, officials said.
US Vice President Kamala Harris walks to board Air Force Two as she departs for New York at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Monday.
Photo: AFP
Cuba is “almost certainly” trying to boost candidates that the Cuban government believes would support their interests in the US, according to a report on foreign election threats released on Monday, less than a month before the elections.
The warning from intelligence officials comes during a particularly tight battle for the House and Senate, where control could be decided by just a handful of races. While much of the attention has focused on attempts by foreign adversaries to influence the presidential race, Monday’s warning underscores the threat that online disinformation also poses in state and local contests.
Leaders in Russia and China understand the US political system well enough to recognize that this year’s close elections create good conditions for the use and spread of disinformation, said the official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity under rules set by the office of the director.
Foreign adversaries have also targeted some races even further down the ballot, including state legislative campaigns, the official said.
Moscow’s goal is to erode support for congressional candidates who favour assisting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Officials would not say which candidates were targeted, but it is likely that the Kremlin’s effort is intended to hurt Democrats and centrist Republicans who have supported Ukraine.
China has targeted candidates from both parties based on their stance on issues of key importance to Beijing, including support for Taiwan. Officials said they have observed Chinese disinformation agencies focusing on candidates in “tens” of races.
Officials also said that Cuba has in past elections tried to help candidates that it views as supportive of better relations with the island.
