This month, the NRSC congratulated Senators Johnny Isakson and Rand Paul on their commanding primary victories! Their strong records of delivering results for Georgia and Kentucky families will ensure their continued success in November.
The NRSC also congratulated Todd Young on his victory in the Indiana Republican Senate primary! This November, Hoosiers will send a Marine to the United States Senate to protect their values. We look forward to helping Young score a back-to-back victory over Baron Hill – a partisan politician turned lobbyist turned retread candidate.
As I explained in a recent Medium post, Senate Republicans are going to win in November. That’s not an election year statement; that’s the end result of a strategy in the works since January of last year – and our tireless efforts to execute it ever since.
From data to finance to digital to communications, we have been building the most sophisticated and self-reliant Senate campaigns – ever.
In this unpredictable environment, Democrats have been hoping for the best.
Republicans have been preparing for it.
I’d like to share with you the cable TV spot and web ads and that our team released in May:
The NRSC hit the airwaves this month and exposed Hillary Clinton’s toxicity to Democrat Senate candidates. Hillary Clinton hasn’t just endangered national security – she’s endangered Democrats running for Senate. The ClintonCandidates.com campaign included targeted cable and digital buys.
The NRSC also released "What’s At Stake: Our National Security" – the second web ad in the series. The escalation of conflicts around the world underscores the need to preserve our last line of defense: the Republican Senate Majority.
Finally, the NRSC released a paid digital ad on "The Privileged Life Of Patrick Murphy." The video traces Murphy’s not-quite-humble beginnings all the way to his election to Congress thanks to a massive contribution from his wealthy father.
Meanwhile, from businessman Ron Johnson’s statewide kickoff tour to Senator John McCain’s rally with four of his freshman colleagues, check out some of our candidates’ top Instagram photos from the past month:
@ronjohnsonwi: Earlier today as we were getting ready for the kickoff of our statewide tour. Go Team RonJon!
@senjohnmccain: Great having @tomcottonar & @sen_dansullivan in #Phoenix this week! #azsen
@senatorchuckgrassley: Had the opportunity to welcome another honor flight w American heroes from various wars. This flight came from eastern Iowa
@heck4nevada: From helping out at the Elks Lodge breakfast to being a part of the parade, Lisa and I had an incredible time in Hawthorne for their Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration! #ArmedForcesDay
@kirkforsenate: This pic was sent from a friend downstate. Looks like the #ilsen race made it to the front page of The Courier this AM…
In my Medium post, I noted that the NRSC is fortunate to have "the best candidates, the best campaigns, and the best messages."
Thanks to you and your efforts, I’m also proud to say that we have the best supporters as well.
With gratitude 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 Senator John McCain’s campaign and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched TV ads on the pride Ann Kirkpatrick has for her multiple votes in support of ObamaCare.
Despite Congresswoman Kirkpatrick’s promise that existing coverage would be preserved and consumer protections strengthened, Arizona Business Daily reported that her constituents will face more hikes in ObamaCare premiums and deductibles.
Morning Consult reported that Senator McCain’s campaign has made 550,000 voter contacts since January.
The Washington Post’s Fact Checker busted Congresswoman Kirkpatrick’s "misleading attack on Sen. John McCain" with two Pinocchios.
PolitiFact confirmed the partisanship of Kirkpatrick, who voted with Democrats 90% of the time.
The Hill reported that in his GOP Weekly Address, Senator McCain slammed President Obama’s failed foreign policy and the absence of a strategy to defeat ISIS under his administration.
The Phoenix Business Journal reported that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry endorsed Senator McCain this month.
Following the stunning admission made by Ben Rhodes regarding the strategy of actively misleading the American people, the Washington Examiner reported that Senator McCain called on the Obama administration to stop its spin campaign and develop a strategy to counter Iran’s continued hostility.
The Arizona Republic reported that Senators Tom Cotton, Joni Ernst, Cory Gardner, David Perdue, and Dan Sullivan rallied for Senator McCain this month at his "packed campaign headquarters in central Phoenix."
Colorado
Senator Michael Bennet’s inability to provide answers on the state’s soaring healthcare costs was front-page news. As The Daily Sentinel reported: "Sen. Bennet Knows Our Issues, Has No Answers."
The Denver Post reported that 20,000 Coloradans will be affected by insurers pulling out of the state exchange. Back in 2009, Senator Bennet promised them that "if you have coverage and you like it, you can keep it."
The Guardian reported that ColoradoCare spokesman TR Reid slammed Senator Bennet as "a gutless politician who gets his principles from his campaign manager." Reid added that if the issue hadn’t come up in his election year, Bennet would be for the single-payer health care plan – and therefore, for "the largest tax increase in state history."
The Colorado Independent reported that the state’s largest labor group refused to endorse Senator Bennet.
- As The Washington Free Beacon added, Senator Bennet is "under fire from supporters in his own party."
Florida
The Hill reported that the NRSC launched a new digital ad telling the tale of "Privileged" Patrick Murphy, a boy prince who has lived high on the family fortune his entire life.
The Hill also reported on the calls for "Privileged" Patrick to donate the rest of the $115,000 that domestic violence offender Ibrahim Al-Rashid spent to get him elected.
- Sunshine State News: "Patrick Murphy under fire for domestic violence-linked campaign cash."
TCPalm reported on the shady ties between "Privileged" Patrick and the felon father of his Democrat colleague, Ami Bera.
- Sunshine State News: "More Shady Dealings Linked To Patrick Murphy’s Campaign"
TCPalm also wrote that "dad’s cash fueled U.S. Rep Patrick Murphy’s races but now causing headaches."
The Tampa Bay Times asked "how could [Murphy] not know" about his father’s role in the $1.7 billion construction project being financed in part by EB-5 investors.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that a watchdog group accused Murphy of violating campaign finance laws and is calling for an investigation.
The Washington Post reported that "for Florida Democrats, Alan Grayson is a problem they can’t ignore."
- Grayson put that theory to the test this month on News 13’s "Political Connections." Watch as he slammed Murphy as a "do-nothing Congressman" who said Social Security and Medicare should be cut.
The Washington Post also wrote that "Privileged" Patrick– Harry Reid’s handpicked candidate, "turned out to be a nightmare" and would be a "sitting duck" in the general election should he emerge from the messy primary.
"Privileged" Patrick’s extracurricular activities include lying about his academic credentials. As the Miami Herald reported, Murphy "embellished his University of Miami academic achievement."
Hours after he was busted for his academic embellishment, the Tampa Bay Times reported that Murphy’s record "raises questions of whether [he] exaggerated his role" in the efforts to clean up the BP oil spill.
Roll Call reported that the executive director of the liberal group Democracy for America roasted Murphy as "probably the worst Democrat running for office nationwide."
The Associated Press reported that nearly a dozen health insurers in Florida are seeking rate hikes under ObamaCare.
Illinois
The Associated Press reported that Tammy Duckworth will officially head to trial this August for allegations of silencing and retaliating against whistleblowers as Rod Blagojevich’s appointee.
- The Daily Herald: "Rod Blagojevich must be beaming with pride," an email from the National Republican Senatorial Committee read.
Roll Call reported that the judge presiding over Duckworth’s whistleblower retaliation trial set an August 15 and 16 court date.
Politico Pro’s Morning Score reported that Senator Mark Kirk’s campaign launched a new TV ad and digital ad following the judge’s decision.
As The Hill added, you can visit TammysTroubles.com – a new website launched by Senator Kirk’s campaign, to find everything you need to know about Duckworth’s whistleblower trial.
After failing to unify her own party behind her candidacy, Politico Pro‘s Morning Score reported that Duckworth turned to far-left progressive Elizabeth Warren for help.
Given that "30 percent of terrorists released from Gitmo are known or suspected to have re-engaged in terrorism," Senator Kirk penned a must-read op-ed in The State Journal-Register on why Guantanamo Bay cannot be closed.
The Hill reported that the NRSC exposed Duckworth for gloating about the commitment she "secured" from VA Secretary Robert McDonald to address long wait times…just days before he compared those wait times to Disneyland.
As Duckworth seeks to outdo Barack Obama’s dangerous refugee proposal, The Washington Free Beacon reported that Senator Kirk is working to undo it. Senator Kirk is leading the fight to hold the Obama administration accountable for the severe vulnerabilities in its plan to expedite the vetting process.
Missouri
The Kansas City Star reported that on an endorsement tour for Senator Roy Blunt, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "blister[ed] Kander.
- KCUR: "Roy Blunt Scores U.S. Chamber Endorsement In Senate Race"
The Washington Post reported on the Jason Kander campaign’s latest unforced error: a petty, inaccurate attack on a high school student.
- St. Louis Magazine: “How a Webster Groves Baseball Cap Stumped a Missouri Senate Campaign”
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Kander campaign strikes out in Twitter tweak of alleged Nats fan”
During National Police Week, KNPN reported that Senator Blunt’s Fallen Heroes Flag Act headed to the White House for signature.
KQTV reported that for his "support and commitment to emergency responders and firefighters," the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters endorsed Senator Blunt.
The Associated Press reported that following Secretary McDonald’s shameful comments regarding wait times for our veterans, Senator Blunt called for his resignation.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton endorsed Senator Blunt and praised his "great work in the Senate to enhance and expand America’s military capabilities."
Nevada
At this month’s "unruly" and "chaotic" Nevada State Democratic Convention, Morning Consult reported that "Cortez Masto was booed during her remarks."
- ABC News: “Ugly Scenes at Nevada Convention Spark Concern Among DNC Officials”
- The Huffington Post: “After Nevada, Democratic Officials Risk a ‘Fractured Convention’ By Favoring Clinton Over Bernie Sanders”
- NPR: “Nevada’s State Party Convention Highlights Democrats’ Turmoil”
- The Wall Street Journal: “Nevada Democrats’ Convention Turns Unruly”
The Reno Gazette-Journal reported on Cortez Masto’s Bernie Sanders flip flop. It took three hours for Harry Reid to convince his handpicked candidate to join his war against Democrat voters.
Politico Pro reported that Freedom Partners Action Fund launched two new ads exposing Cortez Masto as just another special interest politician. During the state’s housing crisis, Cortez Masto gave a sweetheart contract to the very Washington, DC law firm that contributed thousands to her political campaigns. Meanwhile, special interests paid for Cortez Masto to attend conferences at luxury resorts around the world while Nevadans were paying her to hashtag do her job.
The Las Vegas Sun reported on Dr. Joe Heck’s efforts in the House to boost career and technical education funding.
- Las Vegas Review-Journal: "A report by the Congressional Research Service estimates the legislation would increase Nevada’s share of funding by 2.6 percent, or $258,000, within three years of enactment."
The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that Dr. Heck’s campaign opened up a new office in Reno this month.
New Hampshire
WMUR-TV reported that a new Kelly for New Hampshire "State of the Race" campaign memo details the clear contrast between Senator Ayotte’s independent leadership and Maggie Hassan’s failed, partisan record as governor and Hillary Clinton’s top surrogate.
An Eagle-Tribune editorial asked Hassan – who is running "so the Granite State can have a matching pair of Harry Reid bots in the Senate," "What say you…about the sorry record of Hillary Clinton?"
A New Hampshire Union Leader editorial also asked if Hassan will answer for Hillary Clinton’s long record of scandal and lies.
The Union Leader reported that in the month of April alone, Hassan spent 12 days outside the Granite State – up from 10 days absent in February and 9 in March.
- The Washington Free Beacon: "’No-Show’ Hassan Skips Out on NH"
WMUR-TV reported that as Governor Hassan jets across the country for what her own campaign describes as "political travel," Senator Ayotte’s campaign called out MIA Maggie in a new web video.
MIA Maggie Hassan’s "frequent absences" to "hobnob with big money donors" struck The Telegraph‘s Editorial Board as "excessive."
As the Union Leader added, former Senate President Tom Eaton slammed Hassan for "putting public safety at risk" when she failed to notify Senate President Chuck Morse – the acting governor when MIA Maggie leaves the state to fundraise.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that NH Attorney General Joseph Foster – a Maggie Hassan appointee, refused to investigate Phillips Exeter Academy’s mishandling of the sexual predator who served on the governor’s campaign committee. Foster, like the predator whose sexual misconduct he refuses to investigate, is an alum of Hassan’s campaign.
The Union Leader reported that Owen Labrie’s lawyers argued that "better-connected students" such as the son of Governor Hassan’s former legal counsel were not prosecuted for sexual assault charges and instead received "preferential treatment because of his mother’s connections."
Seacoast Media Group reported that the latest victim to speak out about the sexual abuse at Phillips Exeter slammed the academy’s "knee-jerk sort of instant response…to pretend it didn’t happen."
From the recent failures at DCYF to the delay of a 10-bed crisis unit, State Rep. Joseph Sweeney penned a Concord Monitor op-ed on how Governor Hassan "is failing in her primary role as the state’s executive."
The Associated Press reported that in one of Governor Hassan’s first public speeches of the 2016 campaign, "she largely avoided specifics."
A Union Leader editorial then slammed Hassan for "putting new meaning to the term generic Democrat" given her reluctance "to provide voters with any details on the policies she would support as their U.S. senator."
NH1 News added that Senator Ayotte’s campaign also exposed Hassan’s dependency on canned, memorized talking points in a new web ad.
The Keene Sentinel reported that Senator Ayotte announced the support of more than 200 veterans across the state.
North Carolina
Deborah Ross used her Politico Pro interview as a thank you note to the DSCC and her Washington friends.
Senator Richard Burr penned an op-ed in The Fayetteville Observer on his commitment to fixing veterans’ health care through his Veterans Choice Improvement Act.
Ohio
The Columbus Dispatch reported that Senator Rob Portman’s campaign announced a $15 million, highly targeted advertising effort – making it the first Senate campaign to reserve airtime through Election Day. Senator Portman’s ad buy is more than five times what "Retread" Ted Strickland has in the bank.
Politico Pro‘s Morning Score reported that the Portman campaign’s latest web ad exposes the real reason why "Retread" Ted is running for Senate: his candid admission that "I probably need the paycheck more."
Morning Consult reported that Senator Portman also launched a web video targeting "Retread" Ted’s record of shredding the safety net during his failed tenure as governor.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that attendees of this month’s Indians-Reds series were reminded of "Retread" Ted’s failures via Snapchat geofilters.
The Columbus Dispatch also reported on Senator Portman’s web ad on the contrast between his fight for college affordability and "Retread" Ted’s devastating higher education cuts as governor.
A must-watch WCHS-TV report highlighted the Portman campaign’s secret weapon: state-of-the-art microtargeting and a robust ground