National PAC Will Spend $1.2 Million To Oppose Bilbray

August 2, 2012

A national political action committee that supports Democratic congressional candidates announced today it is reserving $1.2 million of broadcast air time in an effort to unseat Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, in November.

The House Majority PAC, which formed in April 2011, says it is spending $2.5 million in six markets to target Republican office-holders. The list includes $285,000 in an effort to unseat Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs.

The advertising buys are in addition to $20 million announced last month in 38 other markets, in conjunction with the Service Employees International Union.

“House Majority PAC continues to expand its fall paid media campaign to educate voters nationwide about House Republicans’ and GOP candidates’ extreme agenda and misguided priorities,” said Alixandria Lapp, executive director of the Super PAC. “Whether it’s supporting plans to end Medicare as we know it, protect tax loopholes for companies that ship American jobs overseas or cut millionaires’ taxes even more, these Republicans are out of touch and House Majority PAC will hold them accountable.”

Bilbray, who faces Port of San Diego Commissioner Scott Peters, has been targeted unsuccessfully by Democrats for years, but party officials feel like they have a good chance this November because his district was shifted around during the redistricting process. Bilbray’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to the Washington Post, the House Majority PAC’s counterpart that backs GOP candidates has yet to reserve fall air time for House races.

Bono Mack faces Dr. Raul Ruiz, an emergency room physician.