GOP allies launch $3 million affordability ad blitz in House battlegrounds
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American Action Network is launching a $3 million ad campaign in four House districts, Axios has learned, as Republicans sharpen an affordability-focused message ahead of the midterms.
Why it matters: Republicans are trying to make affordability a defining issue of the November elections, betting voters will reward candidates who can claim credit for lowering costs and cutting taxes.
- But they still face significant headwinds with that message. Just 16% of adults rate the economy "excellent" or "good," according to a Gallup poll from late last month.
- Republican leadership has been urging their members to tout the wins from the "big, beautiful bill," later dubbed the Working Families Tax Cut Act.
- American Action Network is closely tied to the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC linked to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
Driving the news: The ads will run for two weeks on broadcast and digital in Florida, Virginia's 2nd District and Washington's 3rd District.
- In Washington, AAN is going after Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez (D-Wash.), casting her as a tacit supporter of a newly passed state income tax. The group is also airing a spot backing Republican challenger state Sen. John Braun.
- In Florida, the group is targeting Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) as part of its push to link Democrats to policies it argues raise costs for working families.
- In Virginia, AAN is defending Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) with a positive ad highlighting her work on veterans' and affordability issues.
What they're saying: "Conservatives are fighting every day to lower costs, but liberals at every level of government keep finding new ways to tax working families," AAN President Chris Winkelman said in a statement.
