Airwaves become war zone as Nevada Senate race heats up
LAS VEGAS – Nevada airwaves have become an all-out warzone for the state’s Senate race, as the contest becomes increasingly important in the battle for control of the upper house and as conservative scions who’ve shunned Donald Trump, like the billionaire Koch brothers, unleash their resources lower on the ticket.
Outside groups, candidates and political parties spent about $25 million on TV ads for the race through the end of August, with more than $13 million coming from groups favoring Republican Rep. Joe Heck and more than $11 million backing Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, according to an ad buying source. New ads are unveiled on a near-daily basis; the race for the open seat long held by Democratic Sen. Harry Reid is only expected to pick up after Labor Day.
“We all knew that this was probably going to be the most-watched race in the U.S. Senate,” Heck said in an interview this week. “A lot of entities are going to play hard to try to make sure this seat goes one way or another. So my advice to people is to turn your TV off until Nov. 9.”
Viewed as the only Democratic-held seat Republicans could capture during a presidential election cycle where they’re expecting considerable losses, the race is rising in strategic importance. Contests in other parts of the U.S. are becoming less competitive and the chances of Democrats securing a comfortable majority are looking dimmer.
Read more: http://www.rgj.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/05/airwaves-become-war-zone-nevada-senate-race-heats/89887762/