McCarthy-aligned group running ads against Republicans who triggered his speaker ouster
A political group with ties to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy is going on air against some of the Republicans who ousted him from leadership.
The American Prosperity Alliance, a nonprofit which does not have to disclose its donors, is running an immigration-focused TV ad in several districts, including those held by Reps. Bob Good (R-Va.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), where members deposed McCarthy last year.
Brian O. Walsh, a longtime McCarthy ally, is a senior adviser to the group. Walsh is spearheading an effort funded by McCarthy allies to defeat the eight House Republicans who joined with Democrats to boot him from the speakership. Some of those members have already announced they plan to retire. Good, Crane and Mace are among the top targets seeking reelection.
One version of the 30-second TV spot from the American Prosperity Alliance hits Crane for voting "against funding our border security" and opposing money for border agents, ICE and a border wall. It urges constituents to call their representative to urge him to change course.
Good has a primary challenge from state Sen. John McGuire in his Virginia district. In South Carolina, Mace will go up against Catherine Templeton, a former gubernatorial candidate. And Crane, the lone freshman to vote against McCarthy, will face former Yavapai County Supervisor Jack Smith in Arizona. All three have been elected with significant support from groups that McCarthy helped fund, including the Congressional Leadership Fund and the House GOP campaign arm.
This is likely an opening salvo for McCarthy allies. The seven-figure buy will run in 12 districts total, but only some will see TV advertising and other will get only digital ads. The full list includes seats held by Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) — all of whom also voted out McCarthy — and Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.).
So far in the second half of April, the American Prosperity Alliance has spent nearly $330,000 against Mace, nearly $160,000 against Good, roughly $218,000 against Crane and $150,000 against Kaptur, according to data from AdImpact, a media tracking firm.