A survey from the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling taken just after Georgia Republican Kelly Loeffler was appointed to the Senate last month found that she was largely a blank slate with her party’s voters, but the wealthy new incumbent is already using her vast resources to change that well before the November all-party primary. Loeffler is out with her first TV spot, and her campaign tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that it will run as part of a hefty $2.6 million buy over the next four weeks. Loeffler’s team also says it plans to spend at least another $1 million on what the paper characterizes as its “first phase of advertisements.”
Loeffler speaks to the camera in her debut ad and begins, “My first bill called to end impeachment. My second bill supported killing the world’s deadliest terrorist.” She goes on to declare, “China is attacking American jobs. Iran is attacking American troops. And Congress only attacks the president. It has to stop.”
Loeffler currently doesn’t face any intra-party opposition, but Rep. Doug Collins is still considering entering the race. Donald Trump reportedly pushed for Gov. Brian Kemp to appoint Collins because of the congressman has used his perch as the top-ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee to oppose impeachment, so this spot is likely Loeffler’s attempt to show off her own anti-impeachment credentials.
Loeffler also may be launching her ad campaign early to try and boost her poll numbers and deter Collins from running in the first place. Last month’s PPP survey found that GOP voters would back Collins over Loeffler 56-16 in a hypothetical contest, and it would be all but impossible for the senator to make it past the fall all-party primary if she lost her base by anything like that margin. However, that survey was taken before Loeffler was even sworn into the Senate, and she likely can improve her showing by launching her TV ad campaign early.
Want more great elections coverage like this? Sign up for our free daily newsletter, the Morning Digest.