Two Democratic senators facing re-election in battleground states are pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into ads highlighting their support for Donald Trump and his policies, an exclusive analysis of broadcast data shows.
It suggests they are trying to win over Trump supporters to keep their seats, even as it undermines Kamala Harris’ campaign.
In key Pennsylvania counties, Senator Bob Casey has moved most of his TV advertising to a 30-second spot titled “Independent,” in which a married couple, consisting of a Republican and a Democrat, explains how he “He opposed Biden to protect fracking and he sided with Trump to end NAFTA and impose tariffs on China.”
And in Wisconsin, Senator Tammy Baldwin has taken a similar step with an ad highlighting how she has worked with Trump to ensure American iron and steel is used in infrastructure projects.
Together, they spent $650,000 on these two ads in the four days through Monday, according to an analysis of data collected by AdImpact, which monitors election ads.
Senator Bob Casey is now running his “Independent” ad in 100 percent of his buys in the media markets of Erie, Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Harrisburg. It ties him more closely to Trump’s policies. He is sticking with an ad attacking his rival in the eastern part of the state
The movement is most evident in Pennsylvania.
As of Monday, “Independent” was the only ad Casey’s campaign ran in the Erie, Harrisburg, Johnstown and Pittsburgh areas, according to the analysis.
But in the deep blue Democratic areas of Wilkes-Barre and Philadelphia, his campaign is running another ad, titled “Selling Out America,” attacking his opponent.
“It’s like he’s running two campaigns, and that’s not stupid,” said one person familiar with political ad buying.
“But it’s also fair to say that his closing message in much of the state is a pro-Trump message.”
The ad features a 2017 headline linking the Democrat to Trump’s policies. “Casey supports Trump’s trade order,” it said.
The race is well balanced. A slew of recent polls show Republican Dave McCormick eating into Casey’s lead.
On Monday, the Cook Political Report moved the race from “lean Democratic” to “toss-up.”
Senator Bob Casey (left), the Democratic candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania, has seen his lead over Republican Dave McCormick shrink in the final weeks of the campaign
Casey’s ad features a headline from a local newspaper linking him to Trump’s trade policies
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At the same time, Harris and Trump are running neck and neck in the battle for Pennsylvania’s 19 Electoral College votes, which could be the decisive prize in the battle for the White House.
McCormick said it showed Casey knew Harris was a bad candidate for Pennsylvania.
“Kamala Harris is a liberal from San Francisco who is out of touch with Pennsylvania,” he told Fox News.
‘Banning fracking, defunding the police, mandating gun buybacks, the list goes on, in her own words. President Trump is really gaining momentum.”
Berwood Yost, director of the Center for Public Opinion Research at Franklin and Marshall College, said Casey’s strategy made sense in a state where economic concerns were central to voters and where Trump had overwhelming support in dozens of counties.
“If you’re trying to appeal to some of those voters and limit your losses, one way to do that is to showcase your own independence and your own record,” he said.
“And I think that makes perfect sense, especially in Western PA, which has quickly and significantly moved away from Democrats.”
Pennsylvania Senate candidates, Republican David McCormick, right, and Pennsylvania Senate candidate, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., meet before a debate in the WPVI-TV studio, Tuesday, Oct. 15
In Wisconsin, Senator Tammy Baldwin has taken a similar step with an ad highlighting how she has worked with Trump to ensure American iron and steel is used in infrastructure projects.
Kate Smart, Casey’s campaign spokesperson, said: ‘Bob Casey always does what’s right for Pennsylvania, regardless of party.
“Whether it’s standing up to China or fighting corporate greed, he stands with the people of Pennsylvania and doesn’t care what any politician has to say about it.”
Meanwhile, something similar is happening in Wisconsin, where Sen. Tammy Baldwin has increased the rotation of her “Made in America” ad, balancing Trump and Biden’s partnership.
“Tammy Baldwin got President Trump to sign her ‘Made in America’ bill, says one steelworker, before another says, ‘Then she got President Biden to make it permanent.’
It has removed another ad, titled ‘Issue’, which attacks its opponent in the race.
“Made in America” is running at 100 percent in several media markets, including Duluth and Minneapolis.
And it has increased its rotation in Milwaukee from 18 percent to 26 percent, 22 percent to 30 percent in Green Bay, 16 percent to 22 percent in Wausau and La Crosse, and 19 percent to 23 percent in Madison.