Dems Secure Early Ad Reservations in Key Senate Races

Senate Majority PAC, the leading Democratic outside group focused on Senate races, has initiated its fall ad campaign with early reservations in Montana and Nevada. The move comes as Democrats confront a challenging Senate map in 2024, with the retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin potentially tipping control to Republicans if they win the White House. The first ad buys include $27 million in Montana and $36 million in Nevada, targeting the reelections of Democratic Senators Jon Tester and Jacky Rosen.

Key Points:

1. Strategic Reservations: Senate Majority PAC’s early reservations aim to secure air time in crucial states, Montana and Nevada, where TV ad space is expected to diminish rapidly. The move not only locks in advertising slots but also ensures lower rates.
2. Montana’s Competitive Landscape: Montana, a state vital to defending the Democrats’ slim Senate majority, is witnessing significant ad spending in the Senate race. Tester and Republican Tim Sheehy have both aired TV ads, and super PACs aligned with NRSC Chair Steve Daines and Senate Majority PAC are active in the race.
3. Nevada’s Pivotal Role: Nevada, which hosted the closest Senate race in 2022, is another battleground for Democrats. The Senate Majority PAC had reserved over $30 million in the 2022 race, contributing to Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s narrow victory. In 2024, attention is on the contested GOP primary to face Sen. Jacky Rosen, with the NRSC favoring Sam Brown, an Army veteran.
4. Democratic Senate Majority at Stake: With a challenging Senate map and the possibility of Republicans gaining control, Democrats are focusing on maintaining their Senate majority. Senate Majority PAC President JB Poersch expressed confidence in the Democrats’ strong position but acknowledged the need for strategic ad placements.
5. National Landscape: Apart from Montana and Nevada, Democrats face tough races in other key states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona. Arizona, a presidential battleground, might witness a three-way Senate battle if Independent Kyrsten Sinema opts for reelection.
6. Early Start to Senate Ad Wars: Senate Majority PAC is the first among the major Senate outside groups to book ads for the general election. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and Senate Leadership Fund are expected to follow suit with substantial ad spending.

As the 2024 election landscape takes shape, Democrats are making early moves to secure critical Senate seats, anticipating fierce competition in key states that could determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.