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Dems reserve TV time for campaign
YOUNGSTOWN
In an effort to regain control of the U.S. House, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is reserving $32 million in broadcast TV time in key races, including $1.06 million in Ohio’s 6th District.
The advertising wouldn’t begin until after Labor Day, more than four months from now, meaning that while the time is reserved, the DCCC could spend more or less in the targeted campaign locations.
The 6th District race in the November general election pits incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, a Republican from Marietta, against Democrat Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, a former two-term congressman who lost to Johnson in the 2010 race.
“This is a clear sign that Bill Johnson continues to be vulnerable,” said J.R. Starrett, Wilson’s campaign manager. “Bill Johnson has served as a rubber stamp for the Washington elite and party’s leadership.”
The 17-county 6th District includes all of Columbiana County and the southern portion of Mahoning County.
The Johnson campaign is looking to gain political mileage out of ex-Attorney General Marc Dann’s $500 contribution to Wilson that was returned to him.
Dann paid the money at a March 30 Cleveland-area fundraiser for Wilson with a campaign worker accepting the check not knowing who Dann is, Starrett said.
The announcement of $1.06 million in reserved airtime by the DCC for Wilson in the Youngstown, and Wheeling/Charleston, W.Va., TV markets is not a coincidence, said Mark Weaver, a Johnson campaign spokesman.
It “came out immediately after The Vindicator uncovered the fact that disgraced former Attorney General Marc Dann has re-entered politics as an active supporter of Congressman Charlie Wilson,” Weaver said. “The Wilson campaign was forced to return the $500 Dann donated.”
Weaver added: “No wonder Washington special interests are pouring cash into the Wilson campaign — at least $1 million will be needed to undo the damage caused by the Marc Dann-Charlie Wilson connection.”
Starrett said, “This is a desperate response from a campaign that is quickly falling behind. It’s obvious Bill Johnson, and his campaign, are attempting to distract voters from the fact that he continues to vote for trade policies that are shipping our jobs overseas and partisan efforts to kill Medicare. As much as Bill Johnson likes to talk about [President Barack] Obama and Dann, you have to wonder if he even knows what race he is running in.”
Dann resigned under pressure in May 2008 after an internal attorney- general report sharply criticized how poorly the office ran with him in charge. Dann was found guilty of two misdemeanor ethics charges, and the Ohio Supreme Court is considering suspending his law license.
Dann hasn’t contributed money to any state or federal candidates since his resignation.
The DCCC’s $32 million reserve TV buy is in 26 targeted seats held by Republicans, including Johnson, as well as in seven districts held by vulnerable Democrats and three open seats.
Democrats need to net 25 seats to regain control of the U.S. House.
The National Republican Congressional Committee is likely to spend money on TV ads in those same districts.