WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce stepped up an ad blitz Friday that focuses on House races in solidly Democratic states, betting that control of the chamber rests in places like California, New York and Illinois.

The trade group, which favors Republicans, began airing ads Friday in three Illinois races. That follows its recent investments in eight California contests, six New York races and two more in Illinois. The ads generally attack the Democratic candidate for supporting health care legislation that the chamber and Republicans say hurts job creation. They also say that the health care legislation makes cuts to Medicare, the government’s health care program for the elderly and disabled, and increases taxes for the middle class.