Kari Lake Leads Katie Hobbs with Millions in Ads from GOP Governors Association and Superior Independent Support

As the heated Arizona gubernatorial campaign between Trump-endorsed Kari Lake and Democratic Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs continues, Lake is pulling ahead with spending related to her campaign. Through a funding maneuver, Republicans adjusted their TV ad-buying strategy for better purchasing power, more than doubling the number of spots obtained by Democrats. At the same time, independent expenditures (IEs) in the race greatly favor Lake over Hobbs by over four to one.

Arizona political consultant Jason Rose told The Arizona Sun Times, “Lake is having a moment, if ever so slight as indicated in recent polls. Strength and authenticity are aiding her contrast with Hobbs just as they aided Reagan, Scott Walker and Trump, among others facing similar races. Money still very much matters in politics as Hobbs’ narrow lead at the onset of the general election has been supplanted by Lake’s, in part due to the weight of these advertising spends. ”

The Republican Governors Association (RGA) has spent over $4 million on ads attacking Hobbs. That strategy is shifting, as the RGA has decided to coordinate with the Yuma Republican Party in order to get more out of its money. Since candidates and their local political parties get better airtime rates than outside groups, the RGA will fund the Yuma GOP $6.5 million to buy a total of $7.1 million in ads through Election Day on November 8. State law allows political parties to coordinate with candidates, not out-of-state independent expenditure organizations. The first ad attacked Hobbs on border security and the second ad on taxes and spending.

The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) has spent $4 million on ads for Hobbs to date, but its future spending is dropping. The DGA transferred only $1.5 million to the Arizona Democratic Party to run ads at the discount rate favoring Hobbs.

Read the rest of the article at The Arizona Sun Times
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