Published on November 23, 2019 by Bridget Bowman
An outside group aligned with HouseRepublican leadership is launching new television and digital ads thanking New York Rep.Elise Stefanik, whose national profile has risen during theimpeachment inquiry.
Stefanik isthe only Republicanwomanon the House Intelligence Committee,which began public hearings last week inthe probe of President Donald Trump’s dealings withUkraine. The group, American Action Network, is spending $150,000 on the new ad campaign in Stefanik’s upstate New York district, according to an announcement shared first with CQ Roll Call.
“Congresswoman Stefanik is a star who has distinguished herself in the fight to stop this partisan impeachment charade,” AAN President Dan Conston said in a statement. “Stefanik deserves praise for calling out this madness and doing what’s right both for the country and her constituents.”
The30-second adfeatures images of high profile Democrats including House Intelligence ChairmanAdam B. Schiff, SpeakerNancy Pelosiand New York Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“Now it’s crystal clear: Their partisan impeachment is a politically motivated charade,” the narrator says in the ad. “Thankfully, CongresswomanElise Stefanikbelieves the voters should be the ones deciding elections. She’s focusing on the issues that matter: making sure our military has the resources and training they need and deserve, and standing up for our farmers.”
The narrator encourages viewers to callthe three-term congresswoman and “thank her forstanding against impeachment and focusing on the issues that matter.”
The ad buy is part ofAAN’s $7 million digital and television ad campaign innearly 40 congressional districts. The ads largely target vulnerable Democrats,although the group is also airing spots in a handful of districts where Republicans face competitive races.
Butthe addition of Stefanik to the group’s ad campaign does not necessarily mean Republicans see her reelection assuddenlycompetitive. A GOP sourcenoted that Trump carriedher 21st District by14 points in 2016, and she won reelection over Democrat Tedra Cobb last fall by a similar margin.Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzalesrates the raceSolid Republican.
Still,Stefanik’s heightened profile has also boosted Cobb, a former St. Lawrence County legislator, who is seeking a rematch. The Democratraised $1 million last weekend after the start of public impeachment hearings.
Stefanik’s campaignhad previously declined to say how much it has raised since the start of public hearings, butthe congresswomantweetedThursday night that she brought in $250,000 in 15 minutes after an appearanceon Fox News.She directed Fox News viewers to the website fightschiff.com to donate to her campaign.
You can read the full article athttp://www.rollcall.com
