NRSC pledges ‘dollar for dollar’ match of DSCC ad spending

Though admittedly financially disadvantaged, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee promised yesterday that his organization would not be outspent in Kentucky by its Democratic counterpart during this fall's campaigns.

"Chuck Schumer and the Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee have recently placed television buys totaling approximately $44.8 million in targeted Senate races across the country," said chairman and U.S. Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) in a statement. "I will not allow our Republican candidates to be outspent by the DSCC this cycle. Therefore, it is my intention to give the NRSC's IE [independent expenditure] Unit the total budget to match the DSCC dollar for dollar in every state they run ads."

The DSCC's $44.8 million ad buys accounts for a large chunk of their recently reported $46.2 million warchest - an amount that far outweighs the $24.6 million available to Ensign's organization.

The NRSC has raised more money than in past years, but Ensign said more was necessary.

"While I am proud of the fact that the NRSC is in a better position than the past cycle - $5 million better - it is just not enough," he noted.

Ensign said he has called on other Republicans to fill the organization's coffers so that his spen ding pledge could be fulfilled.

"While I am aware we do not currently have the funds to match the DSCC, I am giving our IE Unit this budget on faith - faith that my Republican colleagues will step up to the challenge and transfer the funds necessary to remain competitive with the Democrats. I have informed my colleagues that it is now up to them," Ensign said.

The DSCC has already invested in Kentucky's Senate race, running ads critical of incumbent U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) through last year.

In his effort to secure a fifth-term, McConnell faces Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford in the general election.

Earlier this week, Ensign indicated he thought McConnell would "win very comfortably," but Lunsford and the DSCC will likely put up a fight. A multi-millionaire capable of self-financing, Lunsford was encouraged to run by the DSCC.

The DSCC has already given the maximum amount of funds possible directly to Lunsford's campaign, and DSCC chair and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) recently indicated he thought the race was "even or close," likely foreshadowing future spending that Ensign has now promised to match.