Chamber Expands Ads Into New York, Utah And Georgia

October 4, 2012

National Journal

Reid Wilson

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will launch a new round of advertisements in nine House districts beginning tomorrow, including on behalf of six New York Republicans and two conservative Democrats seeking re-election this year.

The Chamber's new advertising will focus on President Obama's health care law. Advertisements are running against Reps. Tim Bishop, Bill Owens and Louise Slaughter and ex-Rep. Dan Maffei, four New York Democrats who voted for the law; Rep. Kathy Hochul, who entered Congress after the law passed; and Democratic candidate Sean Patrick Maloney, who is running against Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth.

But lest someone accuse the Chamber of only backing Republicans, the group is launching its first advertising on behalf of a few conservative Democrats. Both Reps. Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and John Barrow (D-Ga.) -- both of whom voted against the health care law -- will get advertising on their side.

Chamber strategists wouldn't put a number on the new ad blitz yet, and Democratic strategists watching the ad market have yet to see the ads get placed in individual stations.

Scott Reed, the Chamber's senior political strategist, said the group is playing a big role in states with a significant number of House races. This round of advertising comes on top of a $3.3 million ad buy earlier this week, which we first reported, focused on competitive California races.

"With early voting now upon us, the Chamber is doubling down in key House and Senate races to highlight candidates' positions on the issues that are crucial to our economic recovery. This is part of our spend-to-the-end strategy designed to break through the clutter with substantial media campaigns that will impact these races," Reed said. "In places like California, New York and Illinois, we see an opportunity to move the needle for pro-business candidates and engage in races that other groups are not targeting because there is not a competitive presidential or senate race there."

In total, the Chamber has advertised in nine Senate races and 19 House races since they began their closing ad blitz on September 17.

Watch the new ads here: New York 1, New York 18, New York 21, New York 24, New York 25, New York 27, Utah 4.

The Chamber will also run radio advertisements in Florida's 22nd district, a newly drawn seat anchored around West Palm Beach. Former Mayor Lois Frankel (D) is favored over former state Rep. Adam Hasner (R).

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