House Majority PAC Reserves TV Time Early for Fall
March 30, 2016
By Simone Pathe
House Majority PAC, a super PAC that helps House Democrats, has made $7.5 million in TV reservations in eight media markets for the fall, its earliest-ever move of that kind for the final weeks of a campaign.
Securing time early allows the group to lock in lower rates. In 2012, the House Majority PAC waited until July to make its first reservations and for the 2014 midterms, it placed its initial reservations in mid-April.
“With these early reservations, we’re taking a first step in ensuring that House Majority PAC is prepared to counter the GOP’s outside groups this fall and help elect Democrats across the country,” House Majority PAC Executive Director Alixandria Lapp said in a statement.
Republicans hold a 30-seat advantage in the House, but with Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz battling for the GOP presidential nomination at the moment, Democrats are hopeful the top of that ticket hurts GOP down-ballot candidates.
Seven of the eight states in which House Majority PAC made its initial reservations have competitive Senate races. It has reserved approximately $1 million in Denver, $900,000 in West Palm Beach, Fla., $316,000 in Cedar Rapids and $313,000 in Des Moines, Iowa, $3 million in Las Vegas, $472,000 in Manchester, N.H., and $730,000 in Philadelphia.
Many of those markets are also competitive at the presidential level, meaning air time for next fall will be even more expensive. House Majority PAC also bought $545,000 worth of time in New York City. All reservations are both broadcast and cable.