Skip to content

Toomey Launches New Ad

Former Rep. Pat Toomey’s campaign, which has already been on TV continuously for more than a month, on Tuesday released its latest television ad in the battle for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat.

The Republican dedicates the first 10 seconds of his 30-second spot to attacking his Democratic opponent, Rep. Joe Sestak.

“Washington is failing,” says the narrator, as a black-and-white image of Sestak flashes across the screen. “Bailouts, takeovers, a stimulus that gave us record debt without creating jobs. Congressman Joe Sestak voted for all of it.”

The Toomey campaign, which had more than $4.6 million in the bank at the end of June (more than twice Sestak’s total), has been running TV ads since July 7, according to spokeswoman Nachama Soloveichik.

She wouldn’t say how much the new buy cost, except to say it was “significant” and is being broadcast statewide.

The Sestak campaign, by contrast, has yet to run its first television ad. But he should benefit from some earned media Tuesday afternoon when former President Bill Clinton headlines a Sestak rally in Scranton.

Despite the aggressive media strategy, Democratic strategists note that the poll numbers have remained largely unchanged in the past month. Toomey holds an advantage of 6 to 7 points, according to two Rasmussen Reports surveys released over the past 30 days.

“While Congressman Toomey has been trying to distort Joe’s record with a lot of negative advertising, it hasn’t had a huge impact,” Sestak spokeswoman April Mellody said. “Most Pennsylvanians are struggling to make ends meet and they want practical solutions not negative political attacks. Joe will continue to focus on his a plan to create jobs through investments in small businesses and the middle class.”

Toomey Plan from Pat Toomey on Vimeo.

Recent Stories

Rep. Andy Kim finds ‘shell shock’ among South Korean contacts over martial law

Helmy to resign on Dec. 8, allowing Andy Kim to take Senate seat early

Senate Democrats approve leadership team for new Congress

Supreme Court to hear arguments on youth transgender care ban

Capitol Ink | Holier than Biden

Parents, states press Congress to act on kids online safety bill