National Democrats cancel ads in Phila.-area races
WASHINGTON - National Democrats have canceled television ad buys in two congressional races in Philadelphia's suburbs, signaling that the races may have slipped out of reach as the party shifts money to other races that appear more competitive.
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/V3FUUXJ6AZB3PHTXS4LQTNOQV4.jpg)
WASHINGTON - National Democrats have canceled television ad buys in two congressional races in Philadelphia's suburbs, signaling that the races may have slipped out of reach as the party shifts money to other races that appear more competitive.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) canceled ad reservations in the Chester County-based Sixth District, where Democrat Manan Trivedi is taking on Republican Ryan Costello, and in the Bucks County-based Eighth, where U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.) faces a challenge from Democrat Kevin Strouse, once billed as a star DCCC recruit.
The cancellation, first reported by Politico, comes as Democrats scramble to protect incumbents, rather than trying to gain ground in a year that looks ever stronger for the GOP.
"Ad reservations are changing every week, and both Manan Trivedi and Kevin Strouse are running aggressive campaigns in a tough climate," said DCCC spokesman Marc Brumer. The National Republican Congressional Committee cast the decision as Democrats waving the white flag.
The DCCC retained its $1.3 million ad reservation in the tough South Jersey race between Democrat Aimee Belgard and Republican Tom MacArthur to replace U.S. Rep. Jon Runyan (R., N.J.).
Democrats had reserved $1.9 million to help Strouse and Trivedi before slashing their planned spending.
@JonathanTamari