Skip to content

NRCC Makes $1 Million Ad Buy to Defend GOP Incumbent

Benishek is getting help from the NRCC. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Benishek is getting help from the NRCC. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

The National Republican Congressional Committee on Tuesday reserved $1 million in television airtime to defend Michigan Rep. Dan Benishek, according to a source tracking buys in the district.  

The NRCC will go up Friday on Traverse City broadcast and stay up through Election Day in support of the two-term incumbent. The buy, which was not part of the NRCC’s initial slew of ad reservations in June, is a signal the party views Benishek as vulnerable.  

In 2012, Benishek squeaked his way to a second term by less than a point, even as Mitt Romney won the northern Michigan-based 1st District — which includes the Upper Peninsula — by an 8-point margin.  

This time around, Democrats recruited former sheriff and retired Army Maj. Gen. Jerry Cannon to run.  

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has been up with $450,000 on TV — a sum that goes far in the Traverse City market — since the first week of September, with ads attacking Benishek. Cannon has also been up with a bio spot touting his service in the military and another ad attacking congressional perks.  

While Benishek has been on the air since mid-July, he’s currently being outspent on the TV airwaves — something that could move the needle in the race and account for the NRCC’s new ad reservation.  

Michigan’s 1st District is rated a Tilts Republican contest by the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.  


Roll Call Election Map: Race Ratings for Every Seat


Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.

Recent Stories

Federal judge orders pause on USAID administrative leave

Trump gives DOGE new marching orders as Japan’s Ishiba tries a little flattery

Graham unveils budget blueprint ahead of markup next week

‘It’s a dumb time’ — Congressional Hits and Misses

US ordered not to release list of FBI agents tied to Jan. 6 cases

Photos of the week ending February 7, 2025