The Lead

‘Chaotic and impulsive’: In new ad blitz, Dem super PAC goes on the offensive against Trump in Pa.

By: - February 25, 2020 2:50 pm

On Tuesday, one political action group launched its first two TV ads on the 2020 election cycle, taking aim at President Donald Trump in key battleground states ahead of Pennsylvania’s April 28 primary.

Priorities USA Action, the largest of the Democratic Party’s Super PACs, launched its $150 million ad buy in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with expansion to Michigan and Florida planned as the lead up to the Democratic National Convention in July.

The 30-second ads, focus on the impact Trump’s policies and behaviors have had on Americans.

The first, titled,“Whatever I Want,” seeks to link Trump’s “chaotic” governing style with rising health care costs, last year’s government shutdown and proposed cuts to Medicare.

The second ad features “Amy,” a woman fighting breast cancer and an example of the millions of Americans with pre-existing medical conditions. The ad attacks Trump’s changes to the Affordable Care Act, saying they would gut existing protections for those with pre-existing conditions.

In 2019, Priorities USA outraised Republican Super PAC, American First by $8 million, Politico reported in January.

As of July 2019, Priorities USA had outspent Trump in digital and online ads in must-win states.

The PAC said in a statement released Tuesday that it launched a plethora of new digital ads in Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin earlier this month, a sign that the PAC is willing and able to keep outspending its GOP counterparts.

In its statement, Priorities USA said it’s already reserved $70 million for television and digital advertising. The organization will spend about $40 million on digital video and audio platforms such as YouTube, Hulu, and Pandora in addition to about $30 million spent on TV advertising.

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Cassie Miller
Cassie Miller

A native Pennsylvanian, Cassie Miller worked for various publications across the Midstate before joining the team at the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. In her previous roles, she has covered everything from local sports to the financial services industry.

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