Veterans group launches ad backing Herb Conaway in race for Andy Kim seat

A liberal veterans PAC is launching an ad backing Assemblyman Herb Conaway in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District race for Rep. Andy Kim’s (D-N.J.) seat. 

VoteVets political action committee (PAC) is rolling out a 30-second ad touting Conaway’s background and mentioning the legislation he wrote to lower prescription drugs for seniors. The group also highlighted Legislative District 7 representatives’ fight for abortion access in the state. 

“With our rights under assault from a MAGA-led Congress, there’s only one candidate with experience taking on extremists to get progressive priorities signed into law. Veteran. Doctor. Assemblyman. Herb Conaway,” the ad narrator says, according to the recording first reviewed by The Hill.

“Conaway stood up to Republicans to restore funding for Planned Parenthood,” the narrator continues. “Passed prescription discounts for seniors. And Conaway helped guarantee the right to abortion, right in the New Jersey constitution. Herb Conaway. A proven progressive patriot. For Congress.”

The $220,000 television ad buy will air Wednesday and will run until the New Jersey Primary on June 4. 

The ad will run on cable throughout the district until primary day, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Five Democrats are vying to claim Kim’s House seat. Kim is leaving the lower chamber after three terms in the House and is looking to become New Jersey’s next senator. 

Conaway is competing with Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, civil rights attorney Joe Cohn, small business owner Sarah Schoengood and educator Brian Schkeeper. The first debate in the race on the Democrats’ side played out on Tuesday. 

In addition to VoteVets PAC, Conaway received backing from 314 Action Fund, a PAC dedicated to electing Democratic scientists. The group is boosting Conaway with a $170,000 ad, according to the New Jersey Globe. 

Conaway, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1998, has raised close to $360,000 and has around $297,000 cash on hand, according to federal election records. He launched his bid in December.