A little over a month out from Election Day, television ads are increasingly negative. Over the weekend, Democrats and Republicans alike used tracker video, humor and even Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) to hammer away at the opposition.
Massachusetts’ 6th
A new ad from former state Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R) against Rep. John Tierney (D) essentially gives voters in the Democratic district permission to cross the ballot because of Tierney’s ongoing ethical issues. The ad assumes the viewer knows Tierney’s problems; it is part of a $600,000 buy over 15 days in the heavily saturated Boston media market. It debuted before Sunday’s New England Patriots-Buffalo Bills game.
New York’s 24th
Former Rep. Dan Maffei (D) is up with an ad tying Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle to Akin, who became a national figure with his “legitimate rape” comment. It is reasonable to assume that Akin will probably surface in other Democratic advertisements. The Maffei campaign did not immediately respond to a query on the buy information behind this advertisement.
Rep. Tim Murphy (above) easily beat Evan Feinberg in the GOP primary for Pennsylvania's 18th district. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Former coal company executive Tom Smith defeated a crowded GOP field tonight for the right to face an uphill battle against Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) this fall.
After spending $3 million of his own money, Smith defeated the state GOP’s endorsed candidate, businessman Steve Welch, who also boasted the support of Gov. Tom Corbett (R). Full story
Rep. Walter Jones Jr. is one of two Members that an anti-incumbent super PAC has decided to target. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Updated 7:39 p.m. | The Campaign for Primary Accountability plans to launch spending crusades against Reps. Walter Jones Jr. (R-N.C.) and Jim Moran (D-Va.) as part of the super PAC’s growing list of targeted races.
The deep-pocketed super PAC also announced a “Watch List” of more than two dozen veteran Members whom it plans to evaluate and potentially target during the height of primary season during the next three months. Full story
The super PAC will target Pennsylvania Reps. Tim Holden (D) and Tim Murphy (R) in their April 24 primaries, according to spokesman Curtis Ellis. Full story
Pennsylvania Rep. Tim Murphy holds an overwhelming lead over his GOP primary challenger in the redrawn 18th district, according to an internal Murphy campaign poll obtained by Roll Call. Full story
Chaos over the state legislative redistricting maps might delay Pennsylvania’s April 24 primary — a move that would effect Congressional and presidential races, too.
A later primary would give the Keystone State less prominence on the presidential nominating calendar, as well as influence several House contests, including the high-profile primary between Democratic Reps. Jason Altmire and Mark Critz in the redrawn 12th district.
Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered a state redistricting commission to redraw its controversial proposal for the legislative districts. But there’s growing concern the state Legislative Reapportionment Commission will not have enough time to pass new maps.
FreedomWorks will back Rep. Tim Murphy’s (R) primary challenger, former Capitol Hill aide Evan Feinberg, on Tuesday, according to local GOP sources.
The conservative activist group announced Monday it would hold a press conference near Pittsburgh to make an “important announcement regarding” the race for the 18th district.
Jacqueline Bodnar, a spokeswoman for FreedomWorks, would not confirm the Feinberg endorsement to Roll Call. In an e-mail, she said the top official for the group’s political action committee will join “multiple local tea party and limited government groups” at the press conference “on specifically how we plan to help our activists out in the Congressional race.” Full story
