Two Democratic senators facing reelection in battleground states are pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into adverts that play up their support for Donald Trump and his policies, according to an exclusive analysis of broadcast data.
It suggests they are trying to win over Trump supporters to hold their seats, even if it undermines Kamala Harris’ campaign.
In key counties in Pennsylvania, Sen. Bob Casey has shifted the bulk of his TV advertising to a 30-second spot entitled ‘Independent’ that features a married couple comprising a Republican and Democrat explaining how he ‘bucked Biden to protect fracking and he sided with Trump to end NAFTA and put tariffs on China.’
And in Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin has made a similar move with an ad that emphasizes how she worked with Trump on ensuring U.S. iron and steel is used in infrastructure projects.
Between them, they spent $650,000 on those two ads in the four days up to Monday, according to an analysis of data collected by AdImpact which monitors election advertising.
Sen. 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 close with Trump policies. He has stuck with an ad attacking his rival in the east of the state
The move is most distinct in Pennsylvania.
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EXCLUSIVE
The talk show host taking Trump's message to battleground states by buying up radio stations
From Monday, ‘Independent’ was the only advert Casey’s campaign was running in the Erie, Harrisburg, Johnstown and Pittsburgh areas, according to the analysis.
Yet in the deep blue Democratic areas of Wilkes-Barre and Philadelphia his campaign is running a different ad, entitled ‘Selling Out America,’ which attacks his opponent.
‘It is like he is running two campaigns, which is not a stupid thing to do,’ said a person familiar with political ad buying.
‘But it is also fair to say that in much of the state his closing message is a pro-Trump message.’
The ad includes a 2017 headline linking the Democrat to Trump’s policies. ‘Casey supports Trump’s trade order,’ it says.
The race is finely poised. A slew of recent polls shows that Republican Dave McCormick has eaten into Casey’s lead.
On Monday, the Cook Political Report moved the race from ‘lean Democratic’ to ‘toss up.’
Sen. 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 includes a headline from a local newspaper linking him to Trump’s trade policies
At the same time, Harris and Trump are running neck and neck in the contest 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 San Francisco liberal out of touch with Pennsylvania,’ he told Fox News.
‘Ban fracking, defund the police, mandatory buybacks of guns, the list goes on and on in her own words. President trump is gaining real 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 front of voter minds and where Trump had overwhelming support in dozens of counties.
‘If you’re trying to appeal to some of those voters and to stem your losses, one way to do that is to tout your own independence and your own record,’ he said.
‘And I think that makes complete sense, particularly in Western PA which has moved rapidly and significantly away from Democrats.’
Pennsylvania Senate candidates Republican David McCormick, right, and Pennsylvania Senate candidate Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., meet before a debate at the WPVI-TV studio, Tuesday, Oct. 15
In Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin has made a similar move with an ad that emphasizes how she worked with Trump on ensuring U.S. iron and steel is used in infrastructure projects
Kate Smart, Casey 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 Pennsylvanians and doesn’t care what any politician has to say about it.’
Meanwhile a similar thing is happening in Wisconsin, where Sen. Tammy Baldwin has stepped up rotation of her ‘Made in America’ ad which balances working with Trump and with Biden.
‘Tammy Baldwin got President Trump to sign her “Made in America ” bill, says a steelworker, before another says: ‘Then she got President Biden to make it permanent.’
It has edged out another ad, entitled ‘Problem,’ which attacks her 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.