Jeb Bush and his super PAC are set to assault New Hampshire airwaves with a series of ads leading up the first-in-the-nation presidential primary.
The spending looks like an effort by Bush to empty campaign coffers, filled in a fundraising haul started in late 2014, in a last ditch effort to gain ground in a state famous for anointing the Republican establishment standard-bearer.
This strategy includes two ads from Bush’s PAC, Right to Rise. Those ads are set to air in New Hampshire during the Super Bowl.
The Boston Herald reported that the Bush team has reserved more than $14 million in commercials on stations in New Hampshire and Boston. Candidates in New Hampshire buy in the Boston market to reach New Hampshire voters.
Bush was initially considered a favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination due to his successful fundraising. But the campaign’s bank account has so far done little to boost Bush. As 2015 closes, the relatively low-cost, personality driven campaing of Donald Trump has been more successful.
Bush’s team is betting a spate of ads can help the candidate gain ground in New Hampshire, where he needs to improve his standing to remain viable in the race for the Republican nomination. RealClearPolitics’ average of Granite State primary polls shows Bush is in sixth place, with support from 7.8 percent of GOP primary voters.
Earlier this month, former President George W. Bush, Jeb’s brother, told donors that he is upbeat about Bush’s chances of capturing the nomination, despite his lagging poll numbers.
