Rep. Ruben Gallego (R-AZ) is launching a $19 million ad blitz in the Grand Canyon State, the largest ad reservation of any Senate candidate in the country thus far, according to his campaign.
The congressman is running unopposed in the primary but is likely to face Kari Lake, the front-running Republican candidate, in a race now considered a toss-up by the Cook Political Report for outgoing Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s (I-AZ) seat. The seat could determine which party gains control of the upper chamber in November.
Gallego reserved $19 million in advertising specifically for the general election, according to the New York Times. The ads are expected to run in Phoenix and Tucson television markets beginning on June 18. The former Marine also will have the support of $23 million reserved in advertising by the Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic group aligned with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
The reservation is far more than those placed by vulnerable Democrats in tough reelection campaigns. According to AdImpact, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has reserved $14.3 million, Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) has reserved $13.9 million, and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) has reserved $8.9 million.
The news of the ad reservation comes as Lake’s campaign plans to reserve $10 million in ads for the fall, according to Axios. Lake released the first ad of her campaign on Monday, called “Big Differences,” in which she slams Gallego over immigration and border security.
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Lake, who has the endorsement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is expected to be out with a new television ad debuting on Tuesday, according to AdImpact.
A New York Times-Siena College poll released on Monday shows Gallego leads Lake 45%-41%, spelling trouble for the GOP in a prime pickup opportunity.
