Senate Leadership Fund Announces Initial $17 Million Ad Campaign In North Carolina Senate Race

Today, the Senate Leadership Fund, the main outside group for Senate Republican, announced its first $17 million ad buy as part of its opening salvo of the planned $71 million investment to help elect Michael Whatley.  

“After more than 40 years in elected office and more than $8 million already spent on revisionist TV ads, Roy Cooper cannot crack 48%. That is because Roy Cooper’s record is one of utter and complete failure. Failure to keep our kids and communities safe, failure to help families keep money in their pocketbooks, and failure to put anyone but himself first. Candidate Cooper cannot run away fast enough from his disastrous record as governor, over the next 97 days we will make sure all North Carolinians know about the damage Cooper has inflicted on the state,” said Whatley Campaign Spokesman DJ Griffin. 

The initial summer adverting campaign highlights “Roy Cooper’s 40 Years of corruption and incompetence and features a new ad detailing Cooper’s record of putting criminals before innocent North Carolinians. Paired with the new ad, SLF launched 40YearsIsEnough.com, a dedicated hub for voters to learn more about Cooper’s horrendous record that’s devastated families and unleashed chaos across North Carolina.  

The ad highlights Cooper’s soft-on-crime record as governor, which included the release of over 3,500 inmates including murders and rapist.  Hundreds of those released by Cooper went on to commit additional violent crimes, including 18 who were later charged with murder. 

"Roy Cooper advanced his career on the backs of grieving parents and widows, catering to Far-Left groups and releasing thousands of violent criminals from prison early. SLF is strongly committed to ensuring voters reject Cooper and his deadly record and are proud to support Michael Whatley’s campaign to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina." — SLF Communications Director Chris Gustafson 

Tim’s Take: As campaign season officially gets underway, Republicans will begin to leverage their massive cash advantage ahead of Election Day. National Democrats recently announced an ad buy of $11 million, and now the main Republican group is announced $17 million, over a 50% increase in spending.