PAC is spending $2 million in NC’s Democratic Senate primary. Does it have GOP ties?
Updated on Feb. 10, 2020 with developments.
A new super PAC is spending $2.4 million on TV ads and other expenses on behalf of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Erica Smith, who lags far behind her main competitor in fundraising.
And based on the group’s media buyer, treasurer and other factors, it appears tied to Republicans.
The Faith and Power PAC is spending in TV markets across North Carolina, according to Advertising Analytics, a media tracking firm. The PAC’s filing with the FEC indicates it has spent more than $2.42 million on media placement, media production, printing/postage and phone calls on behalf of Smith.
The buy is significant in a primary that so far has only seen TV spending for Smith’s rival, Cal Cunningham. They’re among five Democrats who face off March 3. Incumbent Thom Tillis is expected to win the Republican primary.
On Thursday night, Smith issued a statement about the ad buy. She had previously declined to comment on the ad.
“This entity is not authorized to represent our views and positions in any media format in our campaign,” her campaign said in a statement.
“To those pondering the rumor that Republicans are supporting me because Thom Tillis thinks he has a better chance of beating me in the General, I have just one question: when was the last time Thom Tillis was right about anything?” Smith said in a statement. “... If this is an attempt to undermine the voices of voters, they are more out of touch than we even knew.”
Cunningham launched his first TV ad last month. His campaign said it was part of a seven-figure effort that includes digital advertising and mail.
Cunningham, who has the backing of national Democrats, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and more than 140 state leaders, has a big financial edge. In campaign finance reports filed this week, he reported $1.7 million cash on hand. Smith reported $95,000. The other candidates had little or nothing to report.
A new poll released Thursday by Public Policy Polling shows Cunningham expanding his lead in the primary. He had support from 29% of likely primary voters to 10% for Smith. More than half the voters were undecided. The founder of PPP has donated to Cunningham and endorsed him in the race.
Democrats believe the ad is a Republican attempt to undermine Cunningham.
“The fact that Washington Republicans are trying to meddle in our Democratic Primary should outrage every Democrat in North Carolina,” said state Rep. Cecil Brockman, a Cunningham supporter. “This is the latest, desperate sign that Republicans are scared to run against Cal Cunningham.“
In a fundraising email Thursday, Cunningham’s campaign also alluded to the ad.
“Washington Republicans are running scared,” the email said. “Shady groups with ties to (Senate Majority Leader) Mitch McConnell and the Koch network have already dumped huge sums of money to try to save our opponent.”
The Faith and Power ad highlights Smith’s progressive stands.
“Who’s the Democrat for U.S. Senate endorsed by progressives and unions? Erica Smith,” it says. “Who’s got the courage to vote for Medicare for all? Erica Smith. The number one supporter of the Green New Deal? Erica Smith again. Erica Smith is one of us. Vote Democrat Erica Smith for U.S. Senate, the only proven progressive.”
A Cunningham spokesman wouldn’t comment.
The PAC address on a contract with WBTV is a post office box in Jacksonville, NC. A phone number on the contract did not work.
Documents filed with the Federal Election Commission show the PAC uses the Chain Bridge Bank in McLean, Va. The bank has been used by many Republican groups including the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC tied to Senate Republicans. The bank is about 340 miles north of Jacksonville.
The ad buyer, Neylan and Partners, is known for placing ads for Republicans. The listed treasurer for the Faith and Power PAC is Ezekiel Patterson. The only registered N.C. voter by that name is a Republican who lives in Monroe. He could not be reached.
Property records show the house is owned by Salvatore Purpura. A man by the same name is identified in FEC filings as a consultant for several Republicans, including Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential campaign.
A spokesman for the Senate Leadership fund could not be reached.
It wouldn’t be the first time Republicans have jumped into Democratic primaries.
Last summer Politico reported that the National Republican Senatorial Committee erected billboards designed to raise the profiles of lesser-known Democratic candidates including Smith in North Carolina.
And in a 2018 congressional race in Kansas, an independent group tied to Republicans ran ads for a candidate in the Democratic primary. Critics said they were aimed at nominating a candidate who would be easier for the Republican incumbent to beat.
Staff writer Ames Alexander contributed.
CORRECTION
An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed the following quote: “Washington Republicans are running scared. Shady groups with ties to (Senate Majority Leader) Mitch McConnell and the Koch network have already dumped huge sums of money to try to save our opponent.” It was from a Cal Cunningham campaign email, not the candidate.
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 12:04 PM with the headline "PAC is spending $2 million in NC’s Democratic Senate primary. Does it have GOP ties?."
