U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick to launch $1.5 million TV ad campaign

Fresh off a strong fundraising quarter, Democratic U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is set to launch a $1.5 million television ad blitz in her campaign to win Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. John McCain's seat.

Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., announced raising more than $1.8 million in April, May and June and still having nearly $2.5 million on hand as of June 30.

Now her Senate campaign says it will spend $1.5 million for six weeks of television advertising. It is the three-term congresswoman from Flagstaff's first major ad buy in the Phoenix and Tucson broadcast and cable markets.

Ann Kirkpatrick hauls in $1.8 million in April, May and June

D.B. Mitchell, Kirkpatrick's campaign spokesman, did not give any hint about the content of the ad, which he said will start running on Monday. The launch coincides with the start of the four-day Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

“Ann’s deep connections to our state and her principled leadership have helped turn Arizona into one of the top races in the nation," Mitchell said. "John McCain is running a desperate campaign because Arizonans know he's changed after 33 years in Washington and they're ready for new leadership."

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McCain's campaign said it will report $1.8 million in revenue for the second quarter; it had $5.8 million on hand at the end of June.

McCain starting running negative TV ads about Kirkpatrick in May. McCain's most recent commercial, launched Monday in the Phoenix market, criticizes Kirkpatrick as weak on border security.

TV ads attacking Kirkpatrick might be helping McCain

Nowicki is The Republic's national political reporter. Follow him on Twitter at @dannowicki and on his official Facebook page.