In a surprising turn of events, the battle for control of the Senate has escalated with a significant move by a top GOP super PAC. The Senate Leadership Fund, a prominent GOP super PAC focused on Senate races, has initiated its first ad buy for the Nebraska race, which has unexpectedly become a competitive contest.
The super PAC has invested approximately $700,000 in ad time to support GOP incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer in Nebraska. The ad reservations are set to commence this week and extend all the way through Election Day. This injection of Republican funds into a race that was previously off the radar for both parties underscores the shifting dynamics of the campaign.
The emergence of Independent candidate Dan Osborn, coupled with his attention-grabbing ads and anti-establishment stance, has caused some concern within the GOP ranks. This unease is evident in the recent advertising expenditures. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has also joined the fray, having already spent close to $1 million on ad time, as reported by AdImpact data.
While certain outside groups aligned with national Democrats have entered the race to support Osborn, they have inadvertently provided ammunition for GOP attacks. The 'Retire Career Politicians' super PAC, which has allocated nearly $12 million towards pro-Osborne ad campaigns, has received substantial contributions from various dark money groups, including the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a key player in Democratic political funding.
Despite Nebraska being a traditionally Republican state, Fischer is vying for her third term after securing reelection in 2018 with a significant margin. Osborn faces an uphill battle in his quest for an upset victory, but National Republicans are leaving nothing to chance. The recent ad purchases by the Senate Leadership Fund reflect the party's determination to bolster its efforts in crucial battleground contests across the country.
