The National Republican Senatorial Committee is dropping a massive $3 million TV ad buy in California this week, a sure sign that Republicans believe they have a good shot at knocking off Sen. Barbara Boxer (D).
The new spending brings the NRSC’s Golden State commitment to nearly $8 million, all in support of former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina's (R) campaign.
The ad buy comes a day after a public poll shows Boxer inching ahead. A Los Angeles Times/USC poll showed Boxer opening up an 8-point lead -- 50 percent to 42 percent. That number tracks with private Democratic surveys that show Boxer ahead.
Republicans are pushing back on that poll, however, saying their internal numbers show the race much tighter. Republicans are conducting two tracking polls in California, and committee sources say both showed Fiorina only 1 point down at the end of last week. Meanwhile, the Republican polls show Boxer mired in the mid-40s, a dangerous position for any incumbent.
Not to be outdone, the Boxer campaign is launching an even larger $4 million ad buy this week, according to campaign sources. The buy should virtually blanket the state's airwaves.
"We are on the air in 10 media markets, including Spanish-language stations," said Rose Kapolczynski, Boxer's campaign manager.
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