Super-PAC begins $10M effort to help House GOP

A super-PAC aligned with House GOP leadership announced on Monday a record $10 million advertising and get-out-the-vote effort in a dozen battleground districts to help some of the most vulnerable down-ballot incumbents this fall.

The Congressional Leadership Fund will be entering the fall with its biggest first wave of spending, with more expected in additional districts as the November elections approach.

This year’s first wave is nearly as much as the super-PAC spent over the course of the last two election cycles, indicating that total spending through November could be the group’s largest yet. By comparison, the Congressional Leadership Fund spent $11.6 million in 2014 and $10.7 million in 2012. 

{mosads}It’s also an earlier entry than usual for the group, according to spokeswoman Emily Davis. Its first wave of spending was announced on Sept. 10 during the 2014 election cycle.

The investment reflects Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) efforts to limit any down-ballot effects GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump might have on the House Republican majority. Ryan doesn’t raise funds directly for the Congressional Leadership Fund, but the super-PAC is benefiting from his prodigious fundraising abilities for the party.

“Our historically strong fundraising has put us in a position to not only protect Republicans in tough races but also to take the fight to Democrats on their turf,” said Mike Shields, the Congressional Leadership Fund’s president.

The Congressional Leadership Fund’s entrance into spending for the fall includes nearly $7.4 million worth of television advertising reservations in nine districts, as well as $1.5 million in ground game operations for California and New York. 

More than $3.4 million will be set aside for three districts where Republicans hope to flip seats currently represented by Democrats: Rep. Brad Ashford in Nebraska, Rep. Ami Bera in California and an open seat in Florida vacated by Rep. Patrick Murphy, who’s running for Senate.

Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) is slated to get the largest amount of assistance — $1.7 million — that will include television and digital advertising scheduled to begin in October. 

The other House GOP incumbents to benefit from the Congressional Leadership Fund’s effort will be Reps. John Katko (N.Y.), Will Hurd (Texas), David Young (Iowa), Lee Zeldin (N.Y.) and Steve Knight (Calif.).

The group is also investing nearly $1.2 million to help Brian Fitzpatrick win the seat currently represented by his brother, retiring Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), as well as a combined $900,000 for two other seats that are open this cycle due to the retirements of Republican Reps. Reid Ribble (Wis.) and Chris Gibson (N.Y.).

The Congressional Leadership Fund and its sister organization, the American Action Network, spent a combined total of $20 million on House races in 2014 and $21 million in 2012.