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* I received this e-mail late yesterday…
(T)he American Action Network has a new reserve of about $1,020,000 in broadcast television in Illinois’ 13th congressional district, in both the St. Louis and Champaign media markets.
This reserve is in addition to AAN’s initial $350,000 buy that included television and digital advertising against David Gill.
David Gill is running against Republican Rodney Davis in the district.
* Tom Kacich has more about the $16 million being spent by outside groups in Illinois and in the 13th District…
Almost $2.5 million already has been spent in the 13th District contest. And that doesn’t include spending by the candidates’ campaign committees, which will be officially disclosed next Monday. When all the numbers are added up later this year, total spending on the congressional race undoubtedly will set a local record.
Voters in Champaign-Urbana aren’t accustomed to this kind of free spending and aggressive television advertising in a congressional race. The last competitive congressional contest here was in 2000 when Republican Tim Johnson beat Democrat Mike Kelleher, 53 percent to 47 percent. In that race — and in the days before outside, independent groups got involved — a total of $2.9 million was spent. Since then, total spending in Champaign-Urbana’s old 15th District never exceeded $559,000 in an election cycle. […]
In the 13th District most of the spending has been done by groups opposed to Gill. Four groups — the National Republican Congressional Committee, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Action Network and the New Prosperity Foundation — have spent more than $1.5 million on ads opposing the Democratic candidate.
The biggest spender among that group is the NRCC at $585,594. […]
Opponents of Davis, meanwhile, have spent a little more than $940,000 in the 13th District, most of that ($886,000) from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
* Background on American Action Network…
While nonprofits like American Action Network do not disclose their donors, an investigation by the Center for Public Integrity revealed that the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, better known as PhRMA, gave $4.5 million to the group in 2010, which accounted for 15 percent of its income that year.
American Action Network spent $26 million on ads in 2010, making it the second-most active outside political spending group that year behind the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The Center for Responsive Politics also uncovered several other donors to the group including the American Natural Gas Alliance ($35,000), Crossroads GPS ($500,000) and the Republican Jewish Coalition ($4 million).
* The new ad is not yet available, but here’s one that the group ran in September…
* Related…
* Teachers union backs Gill in 13th
* 13th District Congressional Candidates on Social Security
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 9:51 am
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Wasn’t the initial spin on this race that David Gill wasn’t a serious candidate?
The GOP-aligned groups seem to be spending serious money to try and keep Gill from winning.
I feel bad for the people of the district. That kinda money buys a bunch of TV ads in those media markets. And it’s going to be negative and misleading/dishonest, I expect.
On the bright side, the people of the district will likely be represented by David Gill. He’s nice. He’s smart. He’s passionate. And when he started he was not the darling of some political boss or interest group. He was his own person.
And having dealt with him, I expect he retains that stubborn independence.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 10:09 am
That kind of money makes a tough mountain to climb. Would be interesting to see numbers before this money goes full tilt, and after this money has run its course, say a week out.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 10:16 am
AAN is basically the RNC/NRCC without the label or restrictions. It’s run by a moderate conservative former us senator named norm coleman from minnesota who most notably brought hockey back to the twin cities 10 years ago. There’s accountability and a public face there unlike the group that spent $2.5 million against congressional republicans in chicago yesterday and the group backing walsh.
As an aside, when you note that $1 million is being spent in that race, $1 million there is not the same as $1 million in chicago or $1 million elsewhere and it might help to point that out for those who don’t know these things.
Comment by Shore Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 10:52 am
Given that the 13th cuts into the Metro East - specifically Collinsville, Edwardsville and Glen Carbon - the buy oomph could be diluted by the cost of St. Louis media costs. But the point is still taken given that the Springfield, Decatur and Champaign media market costs are not being jacked up by gubernatorial and senate elections (i.e. Missouri).
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 1:04 pm
Being in Springfield last week what bothers me the most is seeing the same bloody ads over and over again…w/ all that money can’t they at least come up w/ some new ads…please. The ads are so inane..esp. Davis’ attack on Gill w/ the South Park style cut-out of Gill…
Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 1:34 pm
Gill is a great guy and he would make a great congressman, but I never suspected his candidacy would threaten the GOP so much that they and their groups would spend so much to beat him. Either Gill’s a much better candidate than I previously thought, the GOP has some disturbing poll numbers or Rodney Davis is just that bad of a candidate.
Comment by Oh Yeah Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 1:50 pm
wow, can’t believe that the GOP has to pour this much into beating David Gill. WTH happened?
Comment by Go Illini Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 1:50 pm
Rodney Davis is turning out to be a pretty bad candidate. If he wasn’t, the national Repubs wouldn’t need to be carpet bombing Gill.
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 2:41 pm
can’t believe that the GOP has to pour this much into beating David Gill. WTH happened?
Republican party hacks refused to go with Erica Herald!!
Comment by capncrunch Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 3:57 pm
Capn, I think you’re right. I bet there are a few party honchos who wish groups like AAN and others would have the $$$ to pour into the campaign of someone like Bob Dold and Jason Plummer.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Oct 10, 12 @ 5:45 pm
With the timing of Johnson’s retirement, what Republican wouldn’t have trouble in the redrawn district? Whatever the result, good riddance to Johnson at least.
Comment by T.J. Thursday, Oct 11, 12 @ 2:22 am
The spending is this district by large profiteers in the health services industries namely Big Pharma and Aetna should clue patients and their families into the fact that Dr Gill knows where the problems are in needed health care reform. It takes a lot of money to cover for the “Pants on fire” tactics of Mr Davis.
Comment by LegacyCost Thursday, Oct 11, 12 @ 4:58 am