GOP Unveils Plan to Win Back House

Call it the GOP offensive. The National Republican Congressional Committee is prepping a $22 million TV ad campaign designed to take back the 39-seat Democratic advantage in the House, according to Politico. The NRCC has reserved ad time in 40 races, 39 of which are currently held by Democrats. Those receiving especially “rough treatment” include: House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt of South Carolina, and Reps. Chet Edwards of Texas, Ben Chandler of Kentucky, Ciro Rodriguez of Texas, Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota, and Allen Boyd of Florida. Democrats, meanwhile, are taking a defensive stance—purchasing ad time in 60 races to date, 54 of which will protect Democrat-held seats. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is still spending more than twice as much money in ad time than the NRCC—$49 million to $22 million—and currently has $34 million in the bank, doubling the NRCC’s $17 million. “Consider this is a down payment on what is to come in the fall,” said a senior Republican official. “The playing field is expanding and we plan to be on offense as we continue to close the financial gap in the final weeks.”