Last week, Sunflower State, a super PAC with links to Democrats, began running ads in the race backed by more than $ 3 million, making it the biggest spender. The group won’t have to reveal its donors until after primary. His first announcement called Kobach “too conservative” while attacking Marshall as false, attacks that were repeated in a new announcement released Wednesday that could sway Republican primary voters in Kobach’s favor. A separate announcement from the group was only a negative attack on Marshall.
The pro-Marshall boost from the Senate Leadership Fund could help lift it in the final stretch of the primary over attack announcements, and could also help stabilize his image in the state if he emerges as the nominee, the organization’s president Steven Law said in a statement.
“The last announcement of [Chuck] Schumer’s emerging PAC in Kansas shows they want to start the general election before going after Marshall, and we’re not going to let them make the jump, “said Law, a former aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. He also chaired the National Republican Senate Committee.
SLF ads are just the latest example of Republicans trying to consolidate around Marshall. Senator Pat Roberts, who is retiring from the Senate, endorsed Marshall on Tuesday. The Chamber of Commerce publishes ads propelling Marshall, and former Senator Bob Dole backed him earlier in the race. The National Republican Senate Committee has remained neutral.
The air waves have become increasingly crowded and unpleasant in the final stretch of the race. While SLF’s advertisements be all be positive, a The second super PAC, which is run by a Republican agent and won’t have to reveal its funding source until after primary, publishes ads that specifically target Kobach in an effort to weaken his image.
Candidates have posted a variety of positive announcements and attacks on their competitors. Marshall’s latest announcement, which began airing on Wednesday, hits Kobach on eligibility. “Kris Kobach cannot win,” says a narrator at the end of the ad. “And it shouldn’t.”
Democrats have rallied behind state Senator Barbara Bollier, a former Republican who recently switched parties and has outraged her potential Republican opponents. Bollier has been running a series of positive television commercials as the GOP breaks loose.
