Scott has run more than 1,700 Spanish-language spots in the state since April, more than a third of which have aired in the Orlando market. Spanish-language ads growingĪdding to the electoral importance of the I-4 corridor this election is the influx of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have migrated from their hurricane-ravage homes to the Sunshine State, many joining relatives and fellow transplants in the Orlando area. Money does not automatically translate directly to the number of times an ad will run.Īmong those digital ads the campaign has sponsored are ones blaming Scott for the current algae crisis, accusing of him of wasting taxpayer dollars on debris removal, and claiming that he's not sincere about opposing oil drilling off Florida's coasts. Miami-Fort Lauderdale ($8.9 million), West Palm Beach-Fort Pierce ($5.7 million), and Jacksonville ($4.6 million) round out the top five. Of the roughly $60 million already reserved by both sides from August through November, more than half – $32.3 million – is being spent in the Tampa and Orlando markets. Kantar's data shows how much both camps value the I-4 corridor that runs from Tampa through Orlando and ends at the Atlantic shore where Daytona Beach and the adjoining Space Coast often decide elections in the nation's largest swing state. "The governor will aggressively campaign and meet with voters in every part of Florida," she said. Lauren Schenone, a spokeswoman for the Scott campaign, said the governor's visits to 49 of Florida's 67 counties as a candidate and his endorsement by a number of law enforcement and business groups show his support is built on more than just television ads. Nelson, 75, has publicly shrugged off Scott's early advantage on the airwaves and in name identification, saying in May that Florida voters "know who the governor is but they don't necessarily like that guy." In his three previous Senate campaigns, Nelson never faced someone like Scott, who's fundraising ferocity and willingness to dig deeply into his bank account immediately give him an edge. The $17 million Kantar's data has Nelson reserving on television from now until Election Day (his campaign says it's closer to $19 million) is about the same amount he spent for his entire campaign in 2012. "If you can't be up for just about the duration ,then you're better off holding your fire until you can go up and stay up." Going on the air to match Scott in April or May would have meant little ability to match Scott in September and October, Duffy said.Īnd "the longer you're dark, the more whatever you achieved begins to erode," she said. "I'm going to do whatever I can to win this election," he said in April when asked about self-funding.Ĭritics say Nelson should have gone on the air sooner to combat that narrative. There's no reason that onslaught won't continue given Scott's history. After using $90 million of his own fortune to fund two successful gubernatorial campaigns, the former health care executive has already contributed $14.1 million into the Senate race, according to campaign records filed with the Federal Election Commission. The flurry of Scott ads include spots trying to portray Nelson as ineffectual, a party-line Democrat, and a long-term politician whose time has come. Since he announced his challenge to Nelson in April, Scott has run more than 18,000 spots across the state. In addition, groups supporting Scott ran another more than 6,700 spots during the same period while those supporting Nelson aired about 8,200, according to Kantar's data. "As the campaign goes up on TV this fall, our direct voter outreach will continue as we will communicate across numerous platforms about Bill Nelson's record of putting Florida first," she said. Of the $42 million reserved for ads to help the incumbent win re-election to a fourth term, nearly $24 million of it has been made by the Senate Majority PAC, which is controlled by Democratic leaders in Washington.Īnd Carlie Waibel, a spokeswoman for the Nelson campaign, said television spots will augment the messaging already being done through digital ads, door-to-door canvassing and other strategies. Bill Nelson could sway Nelson's re-election bidīuyers can place orders or move money months or hours in advance, depending on availability, said Madeline Meininger, a senior analyst with Kantar.īut they also show Democrats are gearing up for a fight after watching the governor and his allies saturate the airwaves. Marco Rubio's cozy relationship with Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson: Winning votes in 'Trump' counties More: Parkland, hurricanes and Trump shaping Florida Senate race between Rick Scott and Bill Nelson The additional ads Scott is expected to purchase mean the race is likely to wind up as the most expensive both in the nation and in Florida history.
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