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DCCC Cuts Ad Time in Top Colorado Race

Romanoff, left, toured the theater catering to the Latino community. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Romanoff, left, toured the theater catering to the Latino community. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is cutting its ad reservations for the last two weeks of the campaign in a race that represents one of its top offensive opportunities this cycle.

According to a committee aide, the DCCC has pulled $1.4 million in airtime in Colorado’s 6th District, where Republican Rep. Mike Coffman is facing off against former state Speaker Andrew Romanoff.

The committee will partner with Romanoff in ads next week, said the aide, but the DCCC’s portion of the buy was not immediately available.

“This is still a very winnable race, and Romanoff is well-funded and in a competitive position to bring it across the finish line,” said the aide, who stressed the committee still views the race as top target.

The DCCC aide characterized the reduction in this way: The DCCC has already spent $1.8 million on the race and concentrated that money for Sept. 23 through Oct. 6, in the lead up to Colorado’s early voting. The Denver market is one of the most expensive of the cycle due to this race and statewide gubernatorial and Senate campaigns.

Romanoff is a prolific fundraiser. Coffman and the Democrat typically report some of the largest fundraising sums out of all the candidates. The National Republican Congressional Committee will be supporting Coffman on the air in those final two weeks, according to another House Democratic campaign operative.

The DCCC move tops a painful week for House Democrats.

The DCCC and House Majority PAC, a super PAC that aims to elect House Democrats, are fighting GOP outside groups on the airwaves, while many of their allies are focusing resources on Senate races. House Democrats must net 17 seats to win the majority — a long shot at best this cycle — while control of the Senate is in play.

Capitol Hill Democrats are growing increasingly furious at these organizations as each day passes and each DCCC reservation is cut. The DCCC spent the week scrambling to match new GOP outside groups.

Recently, conservative organizations increased spending in Arizona’s 2nd District, California’s 7th District, California’s 26th District, Georgia’s 12th District, Illinois’ 12th District and West Virginia’s 3rd District, according to the DCCC aide.

In response, the DCCC has increased advertising in California’s 7th District, Florida’s 2nd District, Georgia’s 12th District, Illinois’ 12th District, West Virginia’s 3rd District and in the media market reaches New Hampshire’s two House districts.

All are seats held by Democratic incumbents except Florida’s 2nd District. That seat is held by Rep. Steve Southerland II, who is one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents.

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