Right-wing group pumps $70m into efforts to defeat 'vulnerable' Senate Dems

Democratic strategists, according to Roll Call, are feeling increasingly optimistic about their chances of flipping the U.S. House of Representatives — but worried about holding their small U.S. Senate majority.

Democrats know they are likely to lose a Senate seat in West Virginia, where Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin isn't seeking reelection. And that makes races in Ohio, Montana and other states all the more important.

Politico's Burgess Everett reports that the conservative group One Nation is investing another $70 million in races against "vulnerable" Senate Democrats — including Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Sen. Jon Tester in Montana.

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"The nonprofit advocacy outfit, which is closely aligned with GOP leaders and the top GOP super PAC, is dropping tens of millions into five key battleground states to join a campaign already up in Montana," Everett explains in a report published on May 13. "The group is diving into Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Nevada in a sweeping ad buy focused on the southern border and inflation, an effort branded as the 'Stop the Insanity' campaign."

Everett adds, "The push includes spending on radio, mail, TV and digital. The total spend for the campaign this cycle is $88 million, more than double the $43 million run of ads the group ran last cycle."

According to Everett, the "lion's share" of One Nation's spending will be on Republicans targeting "the most vulnerable" Democrats — namely, Brown and Tester. But Republicans also "believe they have a good shot against" Sen. Bob Casey Jr., who is seeking a fourth term in Pennsylvania.

National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Steve Daines recently said that Republicans "are at a cash-on-hand disadvantage in virtually every race."

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But "One Nation's onslaught," Everett reports, is "so important" because "it gives the GOP critical air cover in half a dozen states while the rest of the party braces for the crucial fall ad buying season."

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Read Politico's full report at this link.