NRCC Buys Time For Herrera, Barela

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NRCC Buys Time For Herrera, Barela
September 16, 2010 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | Share This

By Jeremy P. Jacobs
The NRCC is investing heavily in state Rep. Jaime Herrera's (R) bid for retiring Rep. Brian Baird's (D) seat in Washington.

Party sources tell Hotline On Call that the NRSC has purchased $900K of air time in the Portland media market from 9/24 to 10/21. Although the Portland market also covers other districts, that money will be used exclusively to air ads on Herrera's behalf.

The NRCC's investment suggests this will be one of the costliest races this cycle. It also shows that the Republicans are trying to get a jump on the DCCC in the district. The DCCC has reserved $1M worth of air time in the Portland market, but that time doesn't begin until 10/5.

Herrera is locked in a tight race against former state Rep. Denny Heck (D) in WA 03, a major battleground district this year.

The NRCC is also going on the offense in New Mexico, purchasing $300K for October in Rep. Martin Heinrich's (D) NM 01 district. The NRCC is trying to catch Democrats by surprise here; the DCCC has not reserved time in the district yet. Heinrich faces former New Mexico GOP Vice Chair Jon Barela (R).

Both Barela and Heinrich have already gone on the air. Barela has aired a positive spot while Heinrich has gone up with two ads, most recently

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/