Congratulations to Senators John Boozman, Richard Burr, Mark Kirk, Rob Portman, and Richard Shelby on their decisive primary victories this month! The NRSC will continue to work tirelessly to ensure their continued success this fall.
As conflicts around the world continue to escalate, the NRSC is committed to aggressively holding Democrat Senate candidates accountable for their dangerously weak national security positions.
Just yesterday, we launched a digital ad campaign in Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, and Pennsylvania with a particular focus on Iran, ISIS, and Guantanamo Bay.
Watch "Bennet – Failing to Secure":
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72UdfcHUNd4&feature=youtu.be"]
Watch "Kander – Failing to Secure":
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC2f4SByiZQ&feature=youtu.be"]
Watch "Cortez Masto – Failing to Secure":
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8VGQRJT2Io&feature=youtu.be"]
Watch "Sestak – Failing to Secure":
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSycpvHFlf4&feature=youtu.be"]
The NRSC also launched a new paid digital ad as Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth heads to court for allegedly silencing whistleblowers at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA).
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK6vGnn_i4k&feature=youtu.be"]
As Barack Obama and Senate Democrats attempt to create "the most liberal Supreme Court in 50 years," the new Republican majority is fighting to give the American people a voice on the vacancy.
Earlier this month, the NRSC also released a web video highlighting what’s at stake on the Supreme Court:
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRgURGAKY84&feature=youtu.be"]
Meanwhile, from Senator Kirk’s Illinois primary victory celebration to Senator McCain’s town hall meeting with Arizona veterans, check out some of our candidates’ top Instagram photos from the past month…
@kelly4nh: Awesome event last night in Derry with my friends Sen. Joni Ernst from IA and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito from WV. We’re campaigning across New Hampshire today.
@heck4nevada: I’m honored to officially file to run to be Nevada’s new voice in the U.S. Senate #NVSen
@kirkforsenate: Thank you for electing me to be the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate race in Illinois. #committokirk
@portmanforsenate: Great to have Senator Joni Ernst visit with us this morning at our Women for Portman event in Cleveland!
@senjohnmccain: I always enjoy meeting with veterans – we must do all we can to fix the VA and get them the care they have earned and deserve.
Thank you for all that you do.
Ward Baker
NRSC Executive Director
P.S. If you would like to receive daily updates from our Communications Department please email Andrea Bozek at [email protected] to sign up for our Morning Business email.
To The States…
Arizona
The Arizona Republic reported that at a town hall meeting, Senator John McCain unveiled his "Care Veterans Deserve" action plan – comprised of immediate and long-term reforms to fix the VA and ensure that our veterans get the care they deserve.
Newsmax reported that Senator McCain was ranked among the “10 hardest working senators in America.”
The Arizona Republic‘s Dan Nowicki reported on the powerful new video highlighting Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick’s record of consistently siding with President Barack Obama.
Colorado
Colorado Peak Politics reported that the Judicial Crisis Network launched two ads targeting Senator Michael Bennet as he helps Barack Obama create "the most liberal Supreme Court in 50 years."
Like over half of Americans, The Gazette Editorial Board opposes President Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo Bay. The Gazette also noted that unlike Senator Cory Gardner, Senator Bennet favors the idea of closing Gitmo.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that Senator Bennet "backs [President Obama’s] anti-gun Supreme Court nominee."
Meanwhile, Colorado Peak Politics reported that Senator Bennet earned three Pinocchios for his "politically convenient fairy tale" on the Supreme Court vacancy.
KDVR reported that Senator Bennet’s endorsement failed to help Hillary Clinton win Colorado.
Meanwhile, The Denver Post reported that despite Clinton’s defeat in the state’s Democratic caucus, Senator Bennet refuses to use his “superdelegate” status to reflect the will of Coloradans. Instead, he’s continuing to take his cues from the Democratic ruling class and is backing Clinton.
Florida
Following yet another poll showing an Alan Grayson lead, The Hill reported that the NRSC called out “Privileged” Patrick Murphy’s Washington handlers for hitting the panic button.
The Miami Herald reported that President Obama’s endorsement only raised tensions between grassroots Democrats and Murphy’s establishment backers. Susan Smith – the state’s Democratic Progressive Caucus president, was "profoundly saddened" by the endorsement.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that like the Progressive Democrats of America and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Communications Workers of America endorsed Alan Grayson over "Privileged" Patrick.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Times reported that two liberal grassroots groups – Democracy for America (DFA) and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), also endorsed Grayson.
The Hill reported that "Privileged" Patrick was filmed at a fundraiser during his ‘Minimum Wage Challenge.’
The Tampa Bay Times called out "Privileged" Patrick for his utter hypocrisy on campaign finance.
- Tampa Bay Times: “Patrick Murphy: I hate super PACs but here’s some video they can use”
TC Palm‘s Editorial Board also bashed "Privileged" Patrick’s hypocrisy; despite calling big money in politics "disgusting," a pro-Murphy super PAC benefited from his father’s $200,000.
Florida Politics reported on the childish behavior displayed by “Privileged" Patrick and his staffer as they dodged questions.
Illinois
CBS Chicago reported that Senator Mark Kirk decisively won the Republican Senate primary this month.
Crain’s Chicago Business reported that Tammy Duckworth’s own chief deputy at the Illinois VA slammed her tenure – contending that Duckworth used her vets’ post to build her political career.
NBC Chicago reported that Duckworth "is being accused of using her position at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to advance her political career."
WLS-AM News reported that Hines VA whistleblower Germaine Clarno issued fresh, scathing criticism of Duckworth, whom she went to "numerous times."
The Chicago Tribune reported that a judge set a May 12 court date for Duckworth’s lawsuit for allegedly silencing whistleblowers at the Illinois VA.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that the Illinois VA cut POW/MIA scholarships by $1 million under Duckworth.
Following this month’s Democrat primary, The Wall Street Journal reported that the NRSC will continue to hold Duckworth accountable for her dangerous record on national security.
Duckworth’s so-called “unity breakfast” quickly turned into a disastrous disunity breakfast. NBC Chicago reported that African American leaders boycotted the event, citing a “disconnect between Duckworth and the African-American community.”
- The Chicago Tribune reported that protesters chanted "Tammy Duckworth’s got to go" outside the breakfast’s venue.
NBC Chicago also reported that Senator Kirk’s campaign launched a new web ad exposing Duckworth’s ineffective partisanship in Congress and her close ties to Rod Blagojevich.
WBBM-TV reported that Senator Kirk’s Battle Buddies participated in Hustle Up The Hancock to raise money for lung disease research.
Roll Call reported that Kirk ranked among the most bipartisan senators of 2015.
WFLD reported on Senator Kirk’s SAVE Act and recent vote to force Backpage.com to release information on its role in sex-trafficking.
Senator Kirk penned a Fox News op-ed on why we must fight President Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo Bay.
Missouri
Politico Pro reported that Senator Roy Blunt launched his first TV ad – “Missouri Values.”
Senator Blunt also released a video exposing Jason Kander’s bizarre claim that Hillary Clinton is "the most qualified person ever to run for president other than George Washington."
The Buffalo Reflex reported that the Missouri Farm Bureau endorsed Senator Blunt for re-election because of his "proven track record of protecting Missouri farm families."
The Jefferson City News Tribune reported that Senator Blunt launched an eight-city agriculture tour to discuss his record of fighting against the Obama administration’s federal overreach.
Nevada
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Dr. Joe Heck officially filed to run for Senate.
The news that Democrat Morse Arberry filed to run for Congress was an ugly reminder of Catherine Cortez Masto’s utter dereliction of duty as Attorney General. Cortez Masto orchestrated a plea deal that allowed Morse, who was charged with pocketing $121,000 in unreported campaign contributions, off the hook for six felony counts in exchange for a misdemeanor plea.
Politico reported that Concerned Veterans for America launched a new ad praising Dr. Heck for leading the charge to fix the VA.
The Reno News & Review called out the Nevada Democratic Party and Cortez Masto for their bizarre attack on Dr. Heck for…doing his job.
Dr. Heck penned an Elko Daily Free Press op-ed on his efforts to improve access to healthcare for Elko County.
New Hampshire
Politico reported that Judicial Crisis Network launched a new ad in support of Senator Kelly Ayotte as she fights to ensure that the American people have a voice on the Supreme Court vacancy.
NH1 News reported that One Nation also launched a new TV ad highlighting Senator Ayotte’s work to combat New Hampshire’s heroin and opioid epidemic.
Senator Ayotte penned a New Hampshire Union Leader op-ed following the overwhelming passage of her Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act – "a big step in the response to the heroin epidemic."
Influential conservative activist Ovide Lamontagne also penned a Union Leader op-ed in support of Senator Ayotte and her unquestionable "strength of character, integrity and resolve."
WMUR-TV reported that Senator Ayotte launched her first TV ad of the year – “Hoops.”
WMUR-TV also reported that Senator Ayotte’s two new digital ads highlight her strong leadership on national security and “Governor Gridlock” Maggie Hassan’s failure to give Granite Staters a straight answer on bringing terrorists to the U.S.
Meanwhile, the Union Leader reported that for the second time, Hassan declined to declare a public health state of emergency as it relates to the ongoing heroin epidemic.
The Associated Press reported that Senators Joni Ernst and Shelley Moore Capito campaigned in the Granite State for Senator Ayotte.
The Hill reported that Senator Ayotte – "one of the Senate’s most outspoken critics of the president’s push to close Guantánamo Bay," demanded that President Obama send a captured ISIS fighter to Gitmo.
WMUR-TV reported that Senator Ayotte announced 50 new endorsements from grassroots activists in Grafton County.
North Carolina
The News & Observer reported that Senator Richard Burr “easily” won the Republican Senate primary.
The Fayetteville Observer reported that Senator Burr’s legislation would make it easier for vets to get needed care outside of the VA system.
WRAL-TV reported that the NRSC welcomed Deborah Ross to the general election by exposing her radical record as an ACLU lobbyist.
Roll Call reported that after the DSCC failed to convince Kay Hagan and Anthony Foxx to run in 2016, "Ross usually falls near the bottom of the list" when Washington Democrats discuss their Senate recruits.
Ohio
RealClearPolitics reported that following his primary victory, Senator Rob Portman "wasted no time attacking Strickland." Senator Portman launched a new web ad highlighting the abundance of criticism from Democrats about the failed former governor.
Meanwhile, The Advocate reports that Senator Portman’s campaign also launched a web ad on his efforts to secure more than 200 jobs.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that the "Senate passes Portman anti-heroin bill by 94-1 vote."
Meanwhile, USA Today reported that the Senate also unanimously passed Senator Portman’s bipartisan resolution to hold sex-ad website Backpage.com in contempt of Congress.
The Vindicator wrote that Senator Portman "excels" in bipartisanship following his high ranking in the index for 2015.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that Hillary Clinton’s pledge to put coal miners out of business means trouble for "Retread" Ted.
Cleveland.com reported on the NRSC TV ad highlighting “Retread” Ted Strickland’s “mixed and spotty” record.
Politico reported that Freedom Partners Action Fund also released powerful new TV and digital ads on "Retread" Ted’s abysmal record as governor – including the loss of nearly 400,000 jobs.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that "Retread" Ted raised less than $500,000 for the January 1st to February 24th period. That’s less than half of the $1.1 million raised by the Portman campaign in the same period.
Politico Pro reported that "Retread" Ted was feeling the burn rate – "[spending] almost as much as he raised in the pre-primary."
The Hill reported that ahead of his fundraising trip to California, "Retread" Ted – who once proudly boasted about his "dream job" serving an ultra-liberal DC think tank, received high marks on "key Hollywood issues.
Senator Rob Portman penned a Cincinnati Enquirer op-ed on why President Obama’s key lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court should wait.
Pennsylvania
Politico reported that Joe Sestak’s "liabilities" forced the DSCC to intervene in the messy Democrat primary.
Morning Consult shed light as to why President Obama and Washington Democrats are desperate to line up behind Katie McGinty as "blue nerves fray over Pennsylvania primary."
- NewsWorks: "…many state and party leaders have an antipathy for Sestak…"
National Review Online reported that unlike Sestak’s campaign, the super PAC in support of his candidacy is willing to follow the military’s code of ethics.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Tribune‑Review reported that Democrats declined to endorse any of their three Senate candidates.
Following the latest Robert Morris University poll results, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote that "Mr. Toomey’s potential opponents aren’t exactly inspiring confidence."
PoliticsPA reported that Philly firefighters, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, and the International Union of Police Associations all endorsed Senator Pat Toomey.
The Morning Call reported that Toomey ranked among the most bipartisan senators of 2015.
WESA reported on Senator Toomey’s bipartisan legislation to protect correctional officers.
The Delaware County Daily Times reported that Senator Toomey received the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Wisconsin
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that for Senator Ron Johnson and his family, passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act was particularly meaningful.
The Journal Sentinel also reported that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s first Senate endorsement of 2016 went to Johnson.
The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported that Senator Johnson received the Legislator of the Year award from the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force for his work in advancing waterborne commerce.
Following the Brussels terror attacks, The Hill reported on the contrast between Johnson and Senator Russ Feingold on national security.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported that Mr. Clean Russ Feingold "rakes in national money" as he sells his campaign – and his principles, to the highest bidder.
The Wisconsin State Journal also reported that the NRSC tied Senator Feingold to President Obama’s big government policies and foreign policy failures following his endorsement.
Right Wisconsin reported that Feingold admitted to working harder on his desperate campaign to return to Washington than he ever did during his 18 years there as a Senator.
Right Wisconsin also reported that Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid shamefully objected to Senator Johnson’s amendment to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act because he is "a senator running for re-election."
Media Trackers reported that Senator Feingold wants the FBI to have resources he voted against.
Wisconsin Watchdog reported that Senator Feingold’s reckless support for the closure of Guantanamo Bay puts him out of step with a majority of Americans.
Wisconsin Watchdog also reported that Senator Feingold continues to remain silent about Hillary Clinton’s email scandal.