Senate Leadership Fund Announces $28 Million Ad Buy for JD Vance in Ohio

J.D. Vance, the “Hillbilly Elegy” author and Donald Trump-endorsed Republican nominee in the race to replace retiring Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), is getting a cash infusion from a political action committee with close ties to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) is spending $28 million on TV and radio ads that will air statewide, the organization announced on Aug. 18.

The spots will start on Sept. 6 and run through Election Day, according to an SLC spokesperson.

The Cook Political Report ranks the race as “Lean Republican” while Inside Elections calls it “Solid Republican” and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it as “Likely Republican.” Still, Republican groups across Ohio and the United States have concerns about Rep. Tim Ryan’s (D-Ohio) significant fundraising advantage over Vance.

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) speaks during an event at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on Oct. 13, 2019. (Photo by Duane Prokop/Getty Images for Wellness Your Way Festival)

Last month, Vance reported that his campaign bank account had $628,000.

Ryan reported a balance of $3.6 million in campaign cash and $8.6 million in fundraising over the time period of April through June.

Before releasing his official filing, Ryan disclosed that he raised $9.1 million during the second quarter. The figure includes $500,000 he previously raised, according to a pre-primary report.

Since winning the Democratic primary in May, Ryan poured more than $7.5 million into advertising. The unrebutted GOP-friendly ads brand Ryan as a moderate with crossover appeal and Vance as an extremist.

Messaging in the ads has not been announced, but multiple Republican sources have said that an emphasis will be to link Ryan to Biden.

At campaign stops, and in ads and media interviews, Ryan has promoted himself as an independent voice who will work across the aisle