A pro-Trump group followed through on its promise to launch an advertising campaign against Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and released its first ad Tuesday highlighting Heller’s opposition to the Senate GOP’s healthcare bill.
“Obamacare is rapidly racing toward collapse. Premiums skyrocketing. Deductibles increasing. Insurance companies pulling out and heading for the hills,” said the ad, released by America First Policies. “But now with strong leadership and a real chance to repeal and replace Obamacare with patient-centered care that protects American families, Sen. Dean Heller is saying ‘no.’ Call Sen. Heller. Tell him America needs him to keep his promise. Vote ‘yes’ to repeal and replace Obamacare.”
America First Policies, created after the election to support President Trump’s agenda, confirmed to the Washington Examiner on Monday its plan to pursue a seven-figure cable and digital ad buy in Heller’s home state.
The Pro-Trump group has placed TV ads in Nevada’s two markets, and the group also released a one-minute radio ad that asked listeners to call Heller “before it’s too late.”
Source tells me @AmericaFirstPol ad attacking @SenDeanHeller on #BCRA is real. Group has *placed* TV buys in Nevada’s two markets.
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) June 27, 2017
“Nevada Sen. Dean Heller is saying ‘no.’ ‘No’ to tax cuts to help small businesses, ‘no’ to ending Obamacare penalties, and ‘no’ to families who can’t afford to see the doctor of their choice. Call Sen. Heller and tell him to keep his promise to repeal and replace Obamacare — before it’s too late,” the ad said.
Republican leaders and those close to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly disapprove of the ads from America First Policies, according to Politico, and McConnell’s allies reached out to the pro-Trump group to tell them.
But Katrina Pierson, spokeswoman for the group and a former spokeswoman for Trump during the campaign, said the group is not in business to protect Republicans no matter what they think.
“It’s not @AmericaFirstPol job to protect R seats. It’s to support/promote #AmericaFIRST policies. If you don’t, we’ll let your voters know,” Pierson said on her Twitter account.
It’s not @AmericaFirstPol job to protect R seats. It’s to support/promote #AmericaFIRST policies. If you don’t we’ll let your voters know.?? https://t.co/W4otDhnrCD
— Katrina Pierson (@KatrinaPierson) June 27, 2017
Heller, who is considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans ahead of the 2018 election, is one of five GOP senators who opposes the healthcare bill released last week.
The Nevada Republican, whose state expanded Medicaid, said the plan doesn’t spend enough on the program.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans to hold a vote on the legislation this week, before members head to their home states for the week-long July 4 recess.
