DCCC Shuffles Fall TV Reservations
By Kevin Brennan // October 1, 2012 | 5:00 p.m.
With just five weeks left before Election Day, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has shuffled its television ad reservations in several key states, according to a Democratic source tracking ad buys. The committee has purchased additional time in districts where Democrats' chances are on the rise, while pulling ads from others where the party's hopes are fading.
The DCCC has scaled back its ad campaign in Iowa's 4th District, where GOP Rep. Steve King is fighting off a challenge from former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack. The committee has cancelled its ad reservations for the week of Oct. 16 through Oct. 22, though the House Majority PAC, a Democratic outside group, is still on air in the district.
The committee also reduced its scheduled buy in Minnesota's 8th District, represented by GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack, for the same time period. Former Democratic Rep. Rick Nolan, who left office in 1981, is challenging the freshman Republican.
The DCCC also scrapped ad plans for the same week in six districts where it had already cancelled its reservations for the final week of October. This group includes three GOP incumbents: Reps. Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Scott Rigell (VA-02) and Mike Turner (OH-10). Democrats also cancelled a second week of spending in Indiana's 2nd District and North Dakota's lone district, both open seats currently occupied by Senate candidates: Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly in Indiana and GOP Rep. Rick Berg in North Dakota. The last seat included in this group belongs to Democratic Rep. Larry Kissell (NC-08), who is considered one of the most vulnerable House members seeking reelection.
Meanwhile, the DCCC has increased its ad presence over the next few weeks in several other districts, including those occupied by GOP Reps. Mary Bono Mack (CA-36), Chris Gibson (NY-19), Quico Canseco (TX-23) and Sean Duffy (WI-07). In each case, the committee has put down an additional six figures worth of ad time, signaling Democrats are optimistic about flipping these seats. The DCCC also has added to its buy in Illinois' 12th District, where Democratic Rep. Jerry Costello is retiring.
The DCCC is making its first TV buy in one traditionally blue seat: Washington's 1st District. The vacant seat had been occupied since 1998 by Democratic Rep. Jay Inslee, who stepped down earlier this year to focus on his gubernatorial campaign. The committee has reserved more than $500,000 of television time over the next two weeks in the expensive Seattle market.
Leave A Comment