McConnell-aligned group pushes for conservative Supreme Court nominee in campaign ad

A group aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has launched an ad campaign centered on the looming Supreme Court vacancy in states where Democratic senators are up for reelection.

One Nation published its first batch of advertisements on Thursday urging voters to tell their Democratic senator to support President Trump’s nominee to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced Wednesday that he intends to retire effective July 31 after 30 years on the bench.

“Our freedom hangs in the balance, but the far-left will stop at nothing to block President Trump’s choice,” the ad warns.

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Politico reported that the ads will air in Indiana, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin — all states where a Senate Democrat is seeking reelection.

Vulnerable incumbents such as Sens. Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.) will likely face pressure to vote for Trump’s nominee in order to garner support from moderate constituents.

Kennedy’s retirement provides Trump with the chance to nominate another conservative justice, further altering the judicial landscape for years to come.

Trump told reporters Wednesday that he plans to begin the search for a replacement “immediately,” adding that the pick will come from the previously announced White House list of 25 candidates.