Unveiling a new round of television ads, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week is funneling even more money into House and Senate races for 2014, targeting races in Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Alaska and Montana.
The spending follows through on a promise made early this year by U.S. Chamber President Thomas Donahue, who vowed that the group would be "aggressive" in its support of candidates that would be more in line with business interests - in other words, not a Tea Party type of candidate.
And the U.S. Chamber is also not shying away from getting involved in contested Republican primaries, jumping into GOP battles in Georgia and North Carolina.
In Georgia, the U.S. Chamber has sided with Rep. Jack Kingston (R), who is trying to muscle his way into a July runoff. Here is the ad the Chamber will run in the Peach State in coming weeks:
The ad labels Kingston the "Consistent Conservative," and even features a quick photo of Kingston with the Chamber President.
The ad drew a sharp retort from Kingston's colleague in the House - and competitor in the race for U.S. Senate - Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA).
"It should come as no surprise that the establishment-serving U.S. Chamber of Commerce would endorse longtime Congressman and King of Pork, Jack Kingston," said Broun, as he bitterly attacked the business group.
Broun, along with Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA), has actively courted Tea Party voters in Georgia - recent polls though have shown both men struggling to stay near the top of the Republican primary race.
In North Carolina, the U.S. Chamber is also backing a candidate seen as more of the "establishment" in the race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, state House Speaker Thom Tillis.
Along with calling Tillis a "bold conservative" who will "fight Washington," the U.S. Chamber ad takes some shots at Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), seen as one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for re-election in 2014.
In all, the U.S. Chamber is spending more than $2.2 million on ads in five Senate races.
"We will aggressively support those candidates who plan to campaign on a free enterprise and growth agenda, have the courage to govern and the ability to win," said Rob Engstrom, national political director for the Chamber told the Associated Press.
Other ads that were released on Tuesday by the Chamber included one supporting Steven Daines in Montana, Terri Lynn Land in Michigan and Dan Sullivan in Alaska.
The U.S. Chamber reportedly was ready to spend $748,000 in North Carolina, $681,000 in Georgia, $404,000 in Michigan, $206,000 in Montana and $197,000 in Alaska on this latest advertising buy.
About the Author
