The Democratic Party’s committees dedicated to winning Senate races delayed more than a week of television ads – about $500,000 worth – in the Ohio U.S. Senate race.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee reserved time on Ohio TV stations starting September 13, but according the ad trackers, the Democrats won’t launch that campaign until September 22. The Senate Majority PAC, a liberal super PAC, has also dropped its advertising plans for the same timeframe.
The DSCC has not completely withdrawn its support – the group is funding a political ad through its coordinated spending account with Strickland’s campaign. The ad, “Choice,” ties Senator Rob Portman to Donald Trump’s positions on women’s rights.
Does this mean the Democrats are cutting their losses in Ohio?
Strickland campaign spokesman David Bergstein told the Washington Post, “The delay represented a shift in tactics, not a vote of no confidence from party honchos in Washington.”
Sadie Weiner, the DSCC’s communications director commented, “We’re proud to support Ted’s campaign in a variety of ways, including with the ad buy we are funding right now featuring an ad with important information about Trump and Portman and their dangerous positions on women’s health.”
Democrats need four seats to win back the Senate – and Ohio is still seen as a key battleground state.
According to RealClearPolitics, Strickland is about 7.5 points behind Senator Portman – and the Democrat hasn’t been in the lead since early May.