The Senate Leadership Fund unveiled a $1.5 million ad campaign against Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy, a U.S. Senate candidate, on Friday.
The buy comes from the super PAC run by allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, which is attacking Murphy in its effort to boost incumbent GOP Sen. Marco Rubio.
The new 30-second television spot will play in the Tampa and Orlando markets and also appear online as part of a digital campaign. The ad, titled “That’s Who,” labels Murphy with the pejorative nickname “Phony Patrick” because of his claims about being a certified public accountant. Murphy got his CPA license in Colorado, not Florida.
The McConnell-aligned super PAC previously revealed its plans to spend $40 million across five other states, including Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The group has also been heavily involved in GOP Congressman Todd Young’s race against former Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh in Indiana.
The outcome of November’s election in Florida could not only determine the balance of power in the Senate, but the political future of Rubio.
With the GOP convention beginning on Monday, Rubio has said he intends to stay in Florida and campaign to keep his seat in Congress.
