The Judicial Crisis Network, a conservative group which advocates for the appointment of conservatives to the federal judiciary, on Monday announced $1.4 million in backing for its new ad on behalf of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
The ad, titled "Tell Your Senator: Confirm Kavanaugh," will air for one week on national cable. It will also air in broadcast and digital in Alabama, Indiana, North Dakota, and West Virginia.
These states are distinguished by two things: They overwhelmingly backed President Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, and have Democratic senators whom Senate Republicans hope will join them in a vote for Kavanaugh. Sens. Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), and Joe Manchin (W. Va.) are facing tough reelection fights in the fall, while Sen. Doug Jones (D., Ala.) won a razor-thin victory in deep-red Alabama thanks to the serious allegations his opponent Judge Roy Moore faced.
A recent poll from the pro-life advocacy group Susan B. Anthony list found that majorities of voters in 2018 battleground states — including North Dakota, West Virginia, and Indiana — want Kavanaugh confirmed.
"Red state Democrats have a choice to make – stand with Sen. Schumer and the far-left-wing resistance, or vote to confirm a highly-qualified mainstream judge who has a record of being fair, independent, and adhering to the Constitution. The choice is simple," Carrie Severino, JCN's policy director, said.
"Tell Your Senator" is JCN’s third ad since Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, opening up the slot which Trump hopes to fill with Kavanaugh. The organization has allocated $3.8 million to filling the seat with "another great justice," one in the mold of Trump's first appointee, Neil Gorsuch.
The thirty-second ad highlights Kavanaugh's bipartisan appeal, noting he has "earned respect from both sides of the aisle." While calling him a "grand slam" for conservatives, it shows Kavanaugh make clear his commitment to a judiciary above political preference.
"A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law," Kavanaugh said in a clip captured for the ad.