AFP Action Launches $4 Million Digital Ad Campaign to Support Republican CandidatesAFP Action Launches $4 Million Digital Ad Campaign to Support Republican Candidates AFP Action, a conservative advocacy group backed by billionaire Charles Koch, is investing over $4 million in digital advertisements to support Republican candidates running for Congress. The ad campaign, which is the group’s largest one-time purchase this cycle, targets key Senate races in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, Montana, and Nevada, as well as House races in Michigan, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Senate Candidate David McCormick Receives $1 Million in Support Of the total ad expenditure, $1 million has been earmarked to support the candidacy of Pennsylvania Senate candidate David McCormick. The ads will run on multiple digital platforms, including streaming services, and will focus on attacking Democrats for failing to control inflation and secure the US-Mexico border. AFP Action’s Focus on Flipping Control of the Senate While Democrats currently hold a slight advantage in the Senate (51-49), Republicans believe they have a solid chance of flipping control of the chamber in the upcoming November elections. Democrats are defending several competitive seats, and AFP Action’s ad campaign aims to sway voters in key states. House Races Targeted in Michigan, Arizona, and Pennsylvania In addition to Senate races, AFP Action is also investing in supporting Republican candidates running for the House of Representatives in Michigan, Arizona, and Pennsylvania, all of which are considered battleground states. The group is spending $549,500 on these House races. “Firewall Strategy” to Prevent Progressive Rule AFP Action describes its ad campaign as part of its “Firewall Strategy” to prevent “one-party progressive rule in Washington.” The group has historically avoided supporting presidential candidates, but this cycle it backed Nikki Haley in the Republican nominating contests. After Haley lost her primary bid, AFP Action shifted its focus to supporting GOP candidates in the Senate and House races. Key Issues Targeted in Ad Messaging The content of the ads varies, but they largely criticize Democrats for their handling of inflation and border security, two issues that polls show are major concerns for voters.
By Gram Slattery
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – AFP Action, a major conservative advocacy group backed by billionaire Charles Koch, is rolling out over $4 million worth of digital ads starting on Monday backing Republican congressional candidates throughout the country.
The ad buy, first disclosed to Reuters, will buoy Republican Senate candidates in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, Montana and Nevada. In all of those states, Republican challengers are locked in relatively tight races with incumbent Democratic senators.
While Democrats currently hold a 51-49 Senate advantage, they will be defending several competitive seats when voters go to the polls on Nov. 5, and Republicans have a solid chance of flipping control of the chamber.
The ad buy, the group’s largest one-time purchase this cycle, will also support 11 Republicans vying for House seats in five states, including battlegrounds Michigan, Arizona and Pennsylvania.
The group is spending $3.5 million for ads in Senate races and $549,500 on House races, with $1 million dedicated to supporting the candidacy of Pennsylvania Senate candidate David McCormick. The latest ads will run on multiple digital platforms, including streaming services.
So far this election cycle, the group has spent slightly over $15 million supporting Republican congressional candidates, excluding the latest buy.
“This ad buy is a continuation of our ‘Firewall Strategy’ to prevent one-party progressive rule in Washington,” AFP Action said in a statement.
AFP Action has not traditionally thrown its weight behind presidential candidates. This cycle, however, the group supported Trump challenger Nikki Haley in the final months of the Republican nominating contests.
The group ultimately cut off Haley in February after she lost the primary in her home state of South Carolina, and said that it would focus on trying to win the Senate and defend the House, where Republicans hold a slim six-seat majority.
The content of the ads varies, though they largely attack Democrats for failing to contain inflation and secure the US-Mexico border. Polls consistently show both issues to be major vulnerabilities for Democrats.
(Reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Scott Malone and Bill Berkrot)
