Politics

Democrats Add $1.8 Million in Seats Targeted by Republicans

The DCCC is adding air time in five media markets.

By Jack Fitzpatrick and National Journal
Saved Stories

House Democrats are continuing to spend heavily to defend vulnerable incumbents, adding another seven figures in air time to five media markets that cover six Democratic-held districts, a Democratic aide said Tuesday.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will spend an additional $1.8 million defending Rep. Ron Barber in Arizona, Rep. Bill Enyart in Illinois, and Reps. Collin Peterson and Rick Nolan in Minnesota, according to a DCCC aide. The committee also bought air time in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, market, which covers Rep. Dave Loebsack's district and Rep. Bruce Braley's open seat. The DCCC could spend on either of those districts, or both.

The DCCC has added resources for the last several weeks to districts where Democratic incumbents hope to win tough races for reelection, often at the expense of attempting to pick off Republican-held seats. Democrats now have only a handful of major pickup opportunities and are hoping to limit their losses.

The DCCC's full air-time additions are listed below.

  • Arizona's 2nd District: $270,000 from Oct. 22-27 supporting Barber.
  • Illinois's 12th District: $104,000 from Oct. 22 to Election Day supporting Enyart.
  • Iowa's 1st and 2nd Districts: $420,000 from Oct. 24 to Election Day.
  • Minnesota's 7th District: $294,000 from Oct. 21 to Election Day supporting Peterson.
  • Minnesota's 8th District: $740,000 from Oct. 28 to Election Day supporting Nolan.