Labor increases spending on ads in midterm campaign home stretch

October 18, 2010 06:16


SEIU, Teachers union, AFL-CIO, and public employee unions are pouring the money in to support endangered Democrats like John Boccieri (Ohio), Phil Hare (Ill.), Tom Perriello (Va.), Mark Schauer (Mich.), Betty Sutton (Ohio), and Dina Titus (Nev.), Cedric Richmond (La.), John Carney (D-Pa.), Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.).

By Kevin Bogardus at The Hill

EXCERPTS:

Over the last week, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) spent at least $200,000 on billboard signs, direct mail and radio ads, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

That is about a fifth of SEIU’s spending on campaign ads so far for the general election — now totaling at least $1.3 million since mid-September — according to FEC records filed by October 14.

SEIU is also planning to weigh in on several more House races and is already campaigning for its candidates in Senate and gubernatorial races.

For example, the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has spent at least $5.2 million on the general election so far. The public-sector union first went up with ads early August, according to FEC records.

The American Federation of Teachers has also started its campaign effort. According to FEC records, the union has spent at least $430,000 on canvassers in support of several Democrats, including Richmond, Reps. John Carney (D-Pa.), Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) as well as a direct mail initiative for Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.).

Already, the AFL-CIO estimates it has had significant success in contacting voters. By October 2, the labor federation said its members had knocked on more than 100,000 doors with over 5,000 volunteers from 300 canvassing locations. They also have distributed 17.5 million fliers at worksites and sent 14.5 million pieces of direct mail.

FULL STORY



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