Ten million of Republican spending later, the National Rifle Association has gotten into the bailing-out-Rick-Saccone game in Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District. The NRA is trying to stay under the radar with its support of Saccone, a Republican state representative who is in danger of losing a district Donald Trump won by nearly 20 points—and it’s the gun lobby group’s first political spending since the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The NRA spent $7,868 in support of Saccone but the money wasn’t seen in a high-profile venture like TV ads or get-out-the-vote efforts. Most of it - $7,532 - was spent on mailings scheduled to be distributed in the district on Monday. The remaining $336 was spent on phone banking earlier this month, according to campaign finance filings.
The group confirmed the existence of the mailer to ABC News but declined to describe it or where it was sent in the 18th Congressional District. The NRA has endorsed Saccone, who has an A+ rating from the group, and has donated $2,450 to his campaign.
“We support him, but we don’t want you to know what praise we have to offer him.” Brave stance there.
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