Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., released the first ad of his Senate campaign Wednesday, highlighting his work for veterans and his push to shrink the Department of Veterans Affairs’ disability claims backlog last year.
The TV ad, titled “Honor,” features a group of veterans speaking glowingly of Heller for his work to pass the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, which helped overhaul the VA’s appeals process when the backlog sat at around 82,000 disability claims and 470,000 appeals. The bill was signed into law by President Trump last August.
“We served our country, proudly. But when we needed help, we were alone. Forgotten,” said J.C. Ward, a Navy veteran from Nevada. “Finally, we had a voice and everything changed. Medical bills were paid. Benefits delivered. Honor restored.”
“Dean Heller was our voice when we needed him. I’ll vote for him until the day I die,” Ward said.
Heller was a top advocate to lessen the backlog, having served as a co-chair of a bipartisan Senate VA backlog working group.
The ad is running statewide as part of Heller’s push to fend off a challenge from Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., in November. Heller is one of three Republican-held seats that are considered prime pick-up opportunities for Democrats, and the only incumbent Republican considered vulnerable in November.
According to a Gravis poll taken in late June, Rosen held a 4-percentage point advantage over Heller (45-41 percent) with just over four months until Election Day. Additionally, Rosen outpaced Heller in fundraising in the second quarter, taking in $3.5 million compared to Heller’s $2.38 million. The incumbent Republican, however, holds an edge in cash on hand, reporting $5.85 million to Rosen’s $3.8 million as of the end of June.
