The Senate TV ad wars are beginning.
Senate Majority PAC, Democrats’ largest outside group focused on Senate races, is placing its first ad buys for the fall ad campaign in two key states.
These initial reservations, the first of many to be made in the coming months, include $27 million in Montana and $36 million in Nevada, according to plans shared first with POLITICO. The ads will begin airing later this summer to aid the reelections of Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
Democrats are facing a brutal Senate map in 2024. The retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) means that Republicans could win Senate control just by capturing the White House. If they lose the presidency, they will need just one more Senate seat.
Montana and Nevada are two states crucial to defending Democrats’ narrow Senate majority. Senate Majority PAC is placing reservations early in markets where TV ad space will disappear quickly, locking in both air time and lower rates.
Las Vegas, a market that will host competitive House, Senate and presidential races, will soon surge in pricing. There will not be a contested presidential race in Montana, but the state has several smaller media markets that could fill up quickly with Senate and House ads.